Menstrual cycle alters training strain, monotony, and technical training length in young

Cristina-Souza, Gislaine; Santos-Mariano, Ana C.; Souza-Rodrigues, Carla C.; Osiecki, Raúl; Silva, Sandro F; Lima‐Silva, Adriano Eduardo; Oliveira, Fernando Roberto de

doi:10.1080/02640414.2019.1597826

Cited by 17 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Other researchers have observed higher training monotony and strain during the early stages of the MC than during the ovulatory phase, which they attributed to the increased prevalence of MC-related symptoms in the first half of the MC (i.e., follicular phase) compared to the second half (i.e., luteal phase). 33 Most likely due to the high incidence of side-effects in Phases 1 and 4, athletes in our sample reported the best physical fitness and performance during Phases 2 and 3. However, experimental research on endurance performance during the phases of the MC has produced mixed results; some researchers have observed better performance during the follicular phase 11,15 or increased performance during the luteal phase, 9,12 although most have reported no fluctuation in performance during the MC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes

Solli¹,

Sandbakk²,

Noordhof³

et al. 2020

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Purpose: To investigate changes in self-reported physical fitness, performance, and side effects across the menstrual cycle (MC) phases among competitive endurance athletes and to describe their knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC. Methods: The responses of 140 participants (older than 18 y) competing in biathlon or cross-country skiing at the (inter)national level were analyzed. Data were collected via an online questionnaire addressing participants’ competitive level, training volume, MC history, physical fitness, and performance during the MC, MC-related side effects, and knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC and its effects on training and performance. Results: About 50% and 71% of participants reported improved and reduced fitness, respectively, during specific MC phases, while 42% and 49% reported improved and reduced performance, respectively. Most athletes reported their worst fitness (47%) and performance (30%) and the highest number of side effects during bleeding (P < .01; compared with all other phases). The phase following bleeding was considered the best phase for perceived fitness (24%, P < .01) and performance (18%, P < .01). Only 8% of participants reported having sufficient knowledge about the MC in relation to training, and 27% of participants communicated about it with their coach. Conclusions: A high proportion of athletes perceived distinct changes in fitness, performance, and side effects across the MC phases, with their worst perceived fitness and performance during the bleeding phase. Because most athletes indicate a lack of knowledge about the MC’s effect on training and performance and few communicate with coaches on the topic, the authors recommend that more time be devoted to educating athletes and coaches.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes

Solli¹,

Sandbakk²,

Noordhof³

et al. 2020

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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“…An increasing number of women are engaging in highintensity training, which has led to a recent increase in womenbased research studies, 3 in spite of the difficult nature of controlling the female hormonal environment. 4 Sex hormone concentrations dramatically change throughout the 2 major phases of the menstrual cycle as follows: the follicular phase, focused on maturing a reproductive cell, and the luteal phase, focused on its regression. Thus, muscle damage response to exercise could vary accordingly.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indirect Markers of Muscle Damage Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Romero-Parra¹,

Alfaro-Magallanes²,

Rael³

et al. 2021

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Context: The indirect markers of muscle damage have been previously studied in females. However, inconclusive results have been found, possibly explained by the heterogeneity regarding monitoring and verification of menstrual-cycle phase. Purpose: To determine whether the fluctuations in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle influence muscle damage. Methods: A total of 19 well-trained eumenorrheic women (age 28.6 [5.9] y; height 163.4 [6.1] cm; weight 59.6 [5.8] kg body mass) performed an eccentric-based resistance protocol consisting of 10 × 10 back squats at 60% of their 1-repetition maximum on the early follicular phase (EFP), late follicular phase, and midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Range of motion, muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and limb circumferences were evaluated prior to 24 and 48 hours postexercise. Perceived exertion was evaluated after each set. Results: Differences in sex hormones indicated that tests were adequately performed in the different menstrual-cycle phases. Prior to exercise, muscle soreness was higher in the EFP (4.7 [7.7]) than in the late follicular phase (1.1 [3.2]; P = .045). No other variables showed significant differences between phases. Time-point differences (baseline, 24, and 48 h) were observed in knee range of motion (P = .02), muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and between sets for perceived exertion (P < .001). Conclusion: Although the protocol elicited muscle damage, hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle did not seem to affect indirect markers of muscle damage, except for perceived muscle soreness. Muscle soreness was perceived to be more severe before exercise performed in EFP, when estrogen concentrations are relatively low. This may impair women’s predisposition to perform strenuous exercise during EFP.

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“…Although tracking of wellness, match and training loads were found to be prevalent (76%), which aligns with a recent training load survey in amateur male and female rugby union (Griffin et al, 2020), menstrual cycle phase was only monitored by 22% of participants. There is an emerging body of evidence suggesting that the menstrual cycle may influence athletic performance (Findlay et al, 2020;McNulty et al, 2020), internal training load (Cristina-Souza et al, 2019) and injury risk (Herzberg et al, 2017). This evidence, coupled with participant views that the menstrual cycle is an important aspect of consideration in female rugby ( Table 7), suggests that monitoring of cycle phase, associated symptoms, training load, and wellness may be crucial for sex-specific sports performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Preparation in Female Rugby Codes: An Investigation of Current Practices

Heyward

Nicholson

Emmonds

et al. 2020

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Female sports have recently seen a dramatic rise in participation and professionalism world-wide. Despite progress, the infrastructure and general sport science provisions in many female sports are behind their male counterparts. From a performance perspective, marked differences in physical and physiological characteristics can be seen between the sexes. Although physical preparation practices for male athletes are known, there are currently no published literature pertaining exclusively to female athletes. This information would provide invaluable data for both the researcher and practitioner alike. This survey therefore aimed to examine current practices utilized in female rugby codes (union, league, and sevens). A questionnaire assessing seasonal physical preparation practices, recovery, monitoring and sport science technology, and unique aspects in female rugby was developed. Thirty-seven physical preparation practitioners (32 males, 5 females) responded to the questionnaire. Most participants (78%) worked with national or regional/state level female athletes. Performance testing was more frequently assessed in the pre- (97%) and in-season (86%), than off-season (23%). Resistance, cardiovascular, sprint and plyometric training, and recovery sessions were all believed to be important to enhancing performance and implemented by most participants (≥ 89%). Sport science technologies were commonly (54%) utilized to inform current practice. Menstrual cycle phase was monitored by 22% of practitioners. The most frequently reported unique considerations in female rugby codes included psycho-social aspects (41%), the menstrual cycle (22%), and physical differences (22%). Practitioners working with female rugby can use the presented data to inform and develop current practices.

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Menstrual cycle alters training strain, monotony, and technical training length in young

Cited by 17 publications

References 22 publications

Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes

Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes

Indirect Markers of Muscle Damage Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Physical Preparation in Female Rugby Codes: An Investigation of Current Practices

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