A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes

The effect of the menstrual cycle on athlete performance, wellbeing and perceived exertion and fatigue is not well understood. Furthermore, it has not been investigated specifically in Australian Football athletes. This pilot study aimed to explore how naturally menstruating Australian Football athletes may be affected by menstrual cycle phase. The data collected from the routine monitoring of five naturally menstruating athletes (average menstrual cycle length of 28 ± 3 [SD] days) in one team (athlete age range 18–35 years) competing in the Women’s Australian Football League during the 2019 season were retrospectively analysed to compare performance (countermovement jump parameters and adductor squeeze pressure), perceived exertion, perceived fatigue and wellbeing (perceived sleep quality, stress and soreness) outcomes between the follicular and luteal phases. Performance, perceived exertion, stress and soreness did not appear to be affected by menstrual cycle phase (p > 0.17). However, perceived fatigue appeared to be significantly greater (p = 0.042) and sleep quality worse (p = 0.005) in the luteal phase. This pilot study suggests further research focusing on the effect of menstrual cycle phase on subjective fatigue and wellbeing is warranted.

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The Effect of Eumenorrheic Menstrual Cycle Phase on Physiological Responses to a Repeated Lifting Task

Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1139/h97-012 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 148-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Karen M. Birch ◽

Thomas Reilly

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Effect Size ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

International Standards ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

The Impact ◽

Lifting Task

Cyclic variations in physiological and endocrinolgical baselines are known to be consistent with the eumenorrheic (healthy) menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of these variations with the physiological responses to repeated lifting. Sixteen females visited the laboratory in each of five phases of their menstrual cycle. During each visit, subjects performed a repetitive lifting task, lifting a weighted box, from knee to shoulder height, at six repetitions per minute for 10 min. Oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, heart rate (HR), and perceived exertion were monitored throughout the task. The variation in physiological and subjective responses to lifting with menstrual cycle phase did not reach statistical significance (p > .05). However, the HR response to lifting was elevated by approximately 10 beats min−1 in the postovulatory phases of the cycle (effect size > 0.61). Although the impact of the menstrual cycle upon lifting performance is minimal, alterations in HR must be taken into account in determining new international standards for manual handling. Key words: lifting, maximal oxygen consumption, subjective response, effect size

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Endogenous Oxytocin Levels in Relation to Food Intake, Menstrual Phase, and Age in Females

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2018-02036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 1348-1356 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anna Aulinas ◽

Reitumetse L Pulumo ◽

Elisa Asanza ◽

Christopher J Mancuso ◽

Meghan Slattery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Food Intake ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Mixed Meal ◽

The Impact ◽

Healthy Females

Abstract Context Oxytocin regulates a range of physiological processes including eating behavior and oxytocin administration reduces caloric intake in males. There are few data on oxytocin and eating behavior in healthy females or on the response of endogenous oxytocin to food intake and its relationship to appetite in humans. Objectives To determine the postprandial pattern of oxytocin levels, the relationship between oxytocin and appetite, and the impact of menstrual cycle phase and age on oxytocin levels in females. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Clinical research center. Participants Fifty-five healthy females (age 10 to 45 years). Interventions A standardized mixed meal was administered. Main Outcome Measurements Blood sampling for oxytocin occurred at fasting and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes postmeal. Appetite was assessed using Visual Analogue Scales pre- and postmeal. Results Mean fasting oxytocin levels were 1011.2 ± 52.3 pg/mL (SEM) and decreased at 30 and 60 minutes postmeal (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Mean oxytocin levels decreased19.6% ± 3.0% from baseline to nadir. Oxytocin area under the curve was lower in the early to midfollicular menstrual cycle phase (P = 0.0003) and higher in younger females (P = 0.002). The percent change in oxytocin (baseline to nadir) was associated with postprandial hunger (rs = -0.291, P = 0.03) and fullness (rs = 0.345, P = 0.009). These relations remained significant after controlling for calories consumed, menstrual cycle status, and age (P = 0.023 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions Peripheral oxytocin levels in females decrease after a mixed meal and are associated with appetite independent of menstrual phase, age, and caloric intake, suggesting that endogenous oxytocin levels may play a role in perceived hunger and satiety.

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The Effects Of Menstrual Cycle Phase On Maximal Strength And Perceived Exertion

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1097/00005768-200505001-01233 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 37 (Supplement) ◽

pp. S237

Author(s):

M. Allison Williams ◽

Fredric Goss ◽

Robert Robertson ◽

Elizabeth Nagle-Stilley ◽

Kathleen Ryan

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Maximal Strength ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase

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Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review of Research Examining the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase and Ovarian Hormones on Smoking and Cessation

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntu249 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 407-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

A. H. Weinberger ◽

P. H. Smith ◽

S. S. Allen ◽

K. P. Cosgrove ◽

M. E. Saladin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Ovarian Hormones ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Analytic Review ◽

The Impact

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EFFECT OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE ON SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PERCEIVED EXERTION RESPONSES TO TREADMILL EXERCISE 1236

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1097/00005768-199705001-01234 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 216

Author(s):

C. S. Winters ◽

R. J. Robertson ◽

M. W. Miley ◽

F. L. Goss ◽

N. M. Moyna

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Treadmill Exercise ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase

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The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041667 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1667

Author(s):

Mikaeli Anne Carmichael ◽

Rebecca Louise Thomson ◽

Lisa Jane Moran ◽

Thomas Philip Wycherley

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Objective Performance ◽

The Impact

The effect of the menstrual cycle on physical performance is being increasingly recognised as a key consideration for women’s sport and a critical field for further research. This narrative review explores the findings of studies investigating the effects of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and objectively measured performance in an athletic population. Studies examining perceived performance consistently report that female athletes identify their performance to be relatively worse during the early follicular and late luteal phases. Studies examining objective performance (using anaerobic, aerobic or strength-related tests) do not report clear, consistent effects of the impact of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance. Overall sport performance can be influenced by both perceived and physical factors. Hence, to optimise performance and management of eumenorrheic female athletes, there is a need for further research to quantify the impact of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and physical performance outcomes and to identify factors affecting variability in objective performance outcomes between studies.

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The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Athlete Performance: A Critical and Systematic Review

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.654585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Alice Meignié ◽

Martine Duclos ◽

Christopher Carling ◽

Emmanuel Orhant ◽

Peggy Provost ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Field Performance ◽

Scientific Publication ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

The Impact

Background: In elite athletes, training individualization is widely recommended to optimize competitive performance. Previous studies have evidenced the impact of hormonal fluctuations on different performance parameters among female athletes. While consideration of menstrual cycle (MC) phases as a parameter in training individualization strategies is necessary, systematic evidence identifying such impacts in elite athletes should be evaluated.Objective: Systematically review publications that have investigated the link between MC phases and performance in elite female athletes. The overarching aim is to identify whether a consensus across studies exists enabling evidence-based recommendations for training individualization depending on menstrual cycle phases.Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three major scientific publication databases were searched from inception until November 3, 2020. Studies included focused on the influence of physiological or psychological parameters throughout at least one phase of the menstrual cycle of elite athletes.Results: A total of 780 search results were yielded and 26 references from a past bibliography were added manually. About 662 papers were reviewed of which 218 studies were assessed for eligibility. Of these, only seven (1%) precisely investigated the influence of a performance or physical parameter during at least one menstrual cycle phase. These seven studies included a total of 314 elite female participants (20.58 ± 1.91 years). Three used interviews, questionnaires or prospective analyses of reports. Four conducted several performance tests or included physical measures although only two performed tests during training or before/during competition. Among the seven studies, five performed hormonal testing through sampling of blood, saliva, or urine. The remaining relied on athletes’ menstruation diaries. The current evidence suggests a variable association between menstrual cycle and a few performance-related outcomes, such as endurance or power resistance, ligament stiffness, decision making skills, psychology, or competitiveness.Conclusion: Different sports performance-related parameters are affected during the menstrual cycle among elite athletes, but the parameters themselves and the magnitude and the direction of the effects are inconclusive. Additional longitudinal and prospective studies to systematically monitor on-field performance parameters are urgently required in order to enable recommendations and training individualization in female elite athletes.

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