Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose: To investigate changes in self-reported physical fitness, performance, and side effects across the menstrual cycle (MC) phases among competitive endurance athletes and to describe their knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC. Methods: The responses of 140 participants (older than 18 y) competing in biathlon or cross-country skiing at the (inter)national level were analyzed. Data were collected via an online questionnaire addressing participants’ competitive level, training volume, MC history, physical fitness, and performance during the MC, MC-related side effects, and knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC and its effects on training and performance. Results: About 50% and 71% of participants reported improved and reduced fitness, respectively, during specific MC phases, while 42% and 49% reported improved and reduced performance, respectively. Most athletes reported their worst fitness (47%) and performance (30%) and the highest number of side effects during bleeding (P < .01; compared with all other phases). The phase following bleeding was considered the best phase for perceived fitness (24%, P < .01) and performance (18%, P < .01). Only 8% of participants reported having sufficient knowledge about the MC in relation to training, and 27% of participants communicated about it with their coach. Conclusions: A high proportion of athletes perceived distinct changes in fitness, performance, and side effects across the MC phases, with their worst perceived fitness and performance during the bleeding phase. Because most athletes indicate a lack of knowledge about the MC’s effect on training and performance and few communicate with coaches on the topic, the authors recommend that more time be devoted to educating athletes and coaches.
Solli is with the Dept of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nord University, Bodø, Norway. Solli, Noordhof, and Ø. Sandbakk are with the Center for Elite Sports Research, Dept of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, and S.B. Sandbakk, the Cardiac Exercise Research Group, Dept of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Ihalainen is with the Neuromuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, and the Swedish Winter Sports Research Center, Dept of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Supplementary Materials
- Supplementary Table S1 (PDF 184 KB)
- Supplementary Table S2 (PDF 107 KB)
- Supplementary Table S3 (PDF 180 KB)
- Supplementary Table S4 (PDF 131 KB)
- Supplementary Table S5 (PDF 172 KB)
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