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

Author

Listed:
  • Mikaeli A. Carmichael

    (Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Rebecca L. Thomson

    (Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Lisa J. Moran

    (Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia)

  • Joel R. Dunstan

    (Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Maximillian J. Nelson

    (Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Michael L. Mathai

    (Institute for Health and Sport, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia)

  • Thomas P. Wycherley

    (Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikaeli A. Carmichael & Rebecca L. Thomson & Lisa J. Moran & Joel R. Dunstan & Maximillian J. Nelson & Michael L. Mathai & Thomas P. Wycherley, 2021. "A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9591-:d:633721
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Annamaria Nicolli & Federica Chiara & Alberto Gambalunga & Mariella Carrieri & Giovanni Battista Bartolucci & Andrea Trevisan, 2014. "Reliability of Urinary Excretion Rate Adjustment in Measurements of Hippuric Acid in Urine," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-9, July.
    2. Scambler, Annette & Scambler, Graham, 1985. "Menstrual symptoms, attitudes and consulting behaviour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 20(10), pages 1065-1068, January.
    3. Mikaeli Anne Carmichael & Rebecca Louise Thomson & Lisa Jane Moran & Thomas Philip Wycherley, 2021. "The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-24, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Philip von Rosen & Linda Ekenros & Guro Strøm Solli & Øyvind Sandbakk & Hans-Christer Holmberg & Angelica Lindén Hirschberg & Cecilia Fridén, 2022. "Offered Support and Knowledge about the Menstrual Cycle in the Athletic Community: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1086 Female Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-10, September.

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