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Effects of menstrual cycle phase on athletic performance
C M Lebrun1, D C McKenzie, J C Prior
1Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Athletic performance in women may be slightly impacted by the menstrual cycle. Aerobic capacity (VO2max) showed a small decrease during the luteal phase due to hormonal changes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Background:
- The menstrual cycle involves hormonal fluctuations that may influence athletic performance.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing training and competition strategies for female athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of menstrual cycle phase on key athletic performance metrics.
- Specifically examining aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, isokinetic strength, and high-intensity endurance.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen eumenorrheic women with high aerobic capacity (VO2max >= 50 ml.kg-1.min-1) were assessed.
- Performance tests were conducted during the early follicular and midluteal phases, confirmed by hormone assays.
- Measurements included VO2max, anaerobic performance, endurance, and isokinetic strength.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in anaerobic performance, endurance, or isokinetic strength between cycle phases.
- Absolute and relative VO2max (aerobic capacity) were slightly, though significantly, lower in the midluteal phase compared to the follicular phase.
- Hormonal assays confirmed distinct early follicular and midluteal phases.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may exert a minor negative effect on aerobic capacity in female athletes.
- This finding has potential implications for training periodization and performance expectations.
- Most other measured athletic performance indices and cardiorespiratory variables remained unaffected by menstrual cycle phase.