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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption
Published on: June 20, 2025
Daily physical activity patterns across the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic female athletes: an accelerometry-based
Paula Recacha-Ponce1, Carla Hernando2, Ana Capdevila-Seder3
1Facultat de Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Menstrual cycle hormonal fluctuations do not significantly alter daily physical activity (PA) volume or lower-intensity behaviors in female athletes. However, high-intensity PA and energy expenditure decrease during the ovulatory phase, indicating susceptibility to hormonal changes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle (MC) impact physiological parameters.
- The effect of MC on daily physical activity (PA) in women is under-researched, often lacking hormonal verification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in daily PA intensity and energy consumption across MC phases in female athletes.
- To objectively measure PA using accelerometry and rigorously verify MC phases.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 20 female athletes with regular cycles.
- Objective PA measurement using wrist-worn accelerometers over one MC.
- MC phase classification via bleeding, LH testing, and serum hormone analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in sedentary, light, or moderate PA across MC phases.
- Significant decreases in vigorous, very vigorous, and extremely vigorous PA during the ovulatory phase.
- Energy consumption was lowest during ovulation; total wear time remained stable.
Conclusions:
- The MC does not substantially alter overall daily activity volume or lower-intensity PA in female athletes.
- High-intensity activity and energy consumption are sensitive to MC hormonal fluctuations, decreasing during ovulation.
- Training prescription should consider individual MC patterns and hormonal profiles for optimal load monitoring.
