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

Author

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  • Mikaeli Anne Carmichael

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

  • Rebecca Louise 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 Jane Moran

    (Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
    Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia)

  • Thomas Philip 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 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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1667-:d:496561
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scambler, Annette & Scambler, Graham, 1985. "Menstrual symptoms, attitudes and consulting behaviour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 20(10), pages 1065-1068, January.
    2. Ji Ying Sze & Martin Victor & Curtis Loer & Yang Shi & Gary Ruvkun, 2000. "Food and metabolic signalling defects in a Caenorhabditis elegans serotonin-synthesis mutant," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6769), pages 560-564, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eloise Hayward & Liz Akam & David Hunter & Sarabjit Mastana, 2024. "Role of the Menstrual Cycle on Performance and Injury Risk: A Survey of Female Professional Rugby Players in the United Kingdom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. 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.

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    Keywords

    sport; menstruation; female;
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