Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Physical Performance and Subjective Ratings in Elite Academy Women Soccer Players
A summary of the research:
The article "Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Physical Performance and Subjective Ratings in Elite Academy Women Soccer Players" investigates how different phases of the menstrual cycle influence physical performance and perceived exertion in female soccer players. Over the course of a complete menstrual cycle, the study monitored 18 elite players, analyzing physical performance through agility tests and subjective feelings of stress, sleep quality, fatigue, and soreness. The study found no significant differences in performance or subjective ratings between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Contrary to common assumptions, hormonal changes across the cycle did not appear to impact the players' physical abilities or their perceptions of performance.
These findings suggest that, at least for this group of athletes, menstrual cycle phases may not play as big of a role in athletic performance as previously thought. The research highlights the need for further studies to explore individual variability and the broader implications for female athletes in different sports and competitive levels.
Key Takeaways:
No significant performance differences: The study found no meaningful impact of the menstrual cycle on agility or physical performance metrics.
Subjective feelings were consistent: Players reported similar levels of fatigue, stress, sleep quality, and soreness throughout the different phases of their cycles.
Individual responses may vary: While this study didn't show a significant menstrual impact, the authors suggest further research is needed to explore individual differences in response to hormonal changes
Authors: Etienne Juillard, Tom Douchet, Christos Paizis, and Nicolas Babault
You can read the whole article here.
