Menstrual Phase and Postmatch Perceptual Recovery Responses for Naturally Menstruating Football Players

To explore the influence of menstrual phase on postmatch perceptual responses and the time course of recovery for professional footballers.

Thirteen naturally menstruating footballers tracked their menstrual cycle and reported perceptual responses for up to 4 cycles. Menstrual phases were determined by calendar-based tracking and urinary hormone tests and classified as menstruation, follicular, or luteal. On match days (MDs) and the following 2 days (MD+1 and MD+2), players completed perceptual questionnaires on fatigue, soreness, stress, sleep, and perceived recovery status (PRS). Total high-speed running distance during matches was recorded using GPS devices to represent load. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Day × total high-speed running distance affected PRS (P < .001), total wellness (P < .001), fatigue (P = .047), soreness (P < .001), and stress (P = .044). Significant main effects were found for menstrual phase on PRS (P = .038), Day on stress (P = .034), and total high-speed running distance on soreness (P = .045). During the menstruation phase, moderate effect sizes (ES) existed for worse PRS on MD and MD+2 (P = .07-.28, ES > 0.51) and better sleep quality on MD+2 (P = .13, ES = 0.56). No significant differences between menstrual phases existed (P > .05), and all other ESs were trivial to small (ES < 0.50). All perceptual measures, except stress, differed significantly between days (P < .05), with differences based on match load and, to a lesser extent, menstrual phase.

PRS may be worse during menstruation, although menstrual phase has limited association with postmatch perceptual responses. Variability in the recovery time course for perceptual measures exists between menstrual phases, but evidence for consistently impaired recovery time course in any phase was not evident.