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Menstrual-Cycle and Hormonal-Contraceptive Tracking in Gaelic Football: From the Lab to the Field
Bernadette Cherianne Taim1,2, Ciarán Ó Catháin1,2, Kirsty J Elliott-Sale3
1Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone, Ireland.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Menstrual cycle tracking in Gaelic athletes revealed diverse reproductive profiles and subtle irregularities. Incorporating ovulation testing and blood sampling is valuable for assessing athlete health, despite practical challenges.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Athlete Health
Background:
- Menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraceptive (HC) use is common in female athletes.
- Understanding the impact of MC and HC on athlete wellness and performance is crucial.
- Current methods for assessing MC status in athletes may lack precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and describe MC and HC tracking in Gaelic Football players.
- To characterize MC status and symptomatology in this cohort.
- To examine the influence of MC and HC phases on daily wellness.
Main Methods:
- Prospective tracking of MC/HC and daily wellness in 14 elite Gaelic Football players over 4 months.
- Utilized calendar counting, urinary ovulation testing, and serum progesterone for MC status assessment.
- Included non-HC users, oral contraceptive pill users, and an intrauterine system user.
Main Results:
- Only 2 non-HC players were eumenorrheic; subtle MC irregularities were common.
- Ovulation was not detected in one player with oligomenorrhea; 2 players showed luteal phase deficiency.
- All but one player reported MC-related symptoms or HC side effects; wellness was unaffected by OCP phase.
Conclusions:
- Diverse reproductive profiles exist in female athletes, including HC use and subtle MC irregularities.
- Biochemical assessments like ovulation testing and blood sampling are vital for accurate MC status evaluation in athletes.
- Researchers must anticipate practical challenges in MC tracking, such as timing inconsistencies and assessment duration.
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