Does Phase of the Menstrual Cycle Affect Balance and Postural Control?

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Biomechanics
• Women's Health

Background:

• Understanding how menstrual cycle phases affect physical performance is crucial for women's health and athletic training.
• Previous research has yielded mixed results regarding the influence of hormonal fluctuations on balance and postural control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific effects of menstrual cycle phases (MCP) on the balance and postural control of healthy women.
• To compare balance and postural performance between the preovulatory and postovulatory periods.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-three healthy women participated, with balance and postural control assessed using the Balance Master and Tekscan MatScan™ systems.
• Evaluations were conducted during both the preovulatory and postovulatory phases.
• Menstrual cycle regularity, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual attitudes, and physical activity levels were also assessed using validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in weight-bearing distribution were observed between phases, with a 3% increase on the non-dominant extremity and a 2.5% decrease on the dominant limb in the postovulatory period (p<0.01).
• Functional reach distance increased by 8% in the postovulatory period (p<0.01).
• Oscillation rate of the center of gravity showed a trend towards decrease in the postovulatory period, though not statistically significant for eyes open (7.4%) or eyes closed (9%) stances.

Conclusions:

• Balance and postural control in young women are negatively affected during the preovulatory phase.
• Overall balance and postural control function demonstrate improvement from the preovulatory to the postovulatory period.
• These findings highlight the cyclical nature of neuromotor control influenced by menstrual cycle hormonal shifts.