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The Specificities of Elite Female Athletes: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Carole Castanier1,2, Valérie Bougault3, Caroline Teulier1,2
1CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
Summary
This review explores how menstrual cycles and hormonal contraception impact elite female athletes' physical and cognitive performance. It offers guidelines to optimize performance and minimize health risks for female athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Growing participation of female athletes highlights the need to understand sex-specific physiological factors.
- Limited research exists on how normal and altered menstrual phases, and hormonal contraception affect elite female athletes.
- Female sex hormones significantly influence physiological and psychological states, impacting athletic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the effects of menstrual phases and hormonal contraception on elite female athletes' performance.
- To explore the mechanisms, performance implications, and health risks associated with hormonal status in female athletes.
- To provide practical guidelines for enhancing performance and mitigating health risks in this population.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary review integrating data on physiological and psychological variables.
- Analysis of research on normal and altered menstrual phases, and hormonal contraception.
- Inclusion of data related to the Athlete Biological Passport for anti-doping.
Main Results:
- Current data on menstrual phase impacts on elite female athletes is limited but growing.
- Hormonal status influences both physical and cognitive functions, with potential performance and health risks.
- Discrepancies exist between hormonal status and observed physiological/psychological variables.
Conclusions:
- Understanding hormonal fluctuations is crucial for optimizing female athlete performance and health.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between hormones and athletic capabilities.
- Practical guidelines can aid coaches and athletes in navigating hormonal influences for improved outcomes.
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