Related Experiment Videos
Mood, mileage and the menstrual cycle
I M Cockerill1, A M Nevill, N C Byrne
1School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 1, 1992
Summary
High-intensity training negatively impacts mood states in female athletes, while moderate training may offer psychological benefits. Menstrual cycle phases and premenstrual syndrome also significantly affect mood in women.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- The menstrual cycle and training load can influence mood states in female athletes.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing training and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of high-intensity training and menstrual cycle phases on mood states in women.
- To compare mood profiles of amenorrheic athletes, non-amenorrheic athletes, and inactive women.
Main Methods:
- Forty women (athletes and inactive controls) completed mood assessments using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire.
- Menstruating subjects completed forms premenstrually and midcycle; amenorrheic athletes served as controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in mood profiles were observed across amenorrheic athletes, non-amenorrheic athletes, and inactive women.
- Premenstrual phases showed more negative mood swings than midcycle phases, particularly in inactive women.
- High-intensity training demonstrated an adverse effect on mood, whereas lower-intensity training (approx. 50 km/week) showed psychological benefits.
Conclusions:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly impacts mood, detectable by the POMS inventory.
- High-intensity training can be detrimental to psychological well-being in female athletes.
- Moderate training loads may be psychologically beneficial for female runners.