--- title: Does low energy availability or eating problems affect how well young female soccer players perform? description: No. Low energy availability and eating problems were not significantly linked to physical performance. However, most players perceived their menstrual cycle a url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/description-of-the-menstrual-cycle-status-energy-availability-eating-behavior-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does low energy availability or eating problems affect how well young female soccer players perform? Survey study, 2023 # Does low energy availability or eating problems affect how well young female soccer players perform? No. Low energy availability and eating problems were not significantly linked to physical performance. However, most players perceived their menstrual cycle affected their game, and they rarely discussed this with coaches. Early or limited evidence 19 young female soccer players in Cyprus, average age 14.6 years ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 19 young female soccer players. They completed questionnaires about menstrual status, energy availability, and eating behavior, and took physical tests including jumping, grip strength, and a cardio exercise test. ## What they found About two-thirds of players felt their period affected their game performance, but 83.3% had never spoken to their coach about their menstrual cycle. About one-quarter had risk of low energy availability. Players with low energy availability also had higher eating behavior problem scores. Neither low energy availability nor eating problems were linked to performance on the physical tests. ## What it means for you Young athletes commonly perceive their periods affect their sports performance, but this study did not find that low energy or eating problems actually reduced measured physical performance. The main limitation is that players were tested only once at the start of the season, so effects across the menstrual cycle are unknown. 66.7% Perceived period affected their game performance 83.3% Never spoke to coach about menstrual cycle 26.3% Had risk of low energy availability ## About the study Original title Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team Authors Paludo AC, Gimunová M, Michaelides M et al. Journal Scientific reports Year 2023 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37967-4](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37967-4) Original abstract The aim of the study was to describe the menstrual status and perception, risk of low energy availability (LEA) and the presence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in youth female from a soccer team. Also, verify the possible effect of LEA and ON on physical performance. Data from 19 female players (14.6 ± 1.42 yr) belonging to a soccer team from Cyprus was taken during pre-season. The menstrual cycle status was evaluated by specific questions, LEA by the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), ON by the ORTO-R questionnaire and physical performance by jump, handgrip and cardiorespiratory exercise tests. Players were separated into the risk of LEA and ON. Comparison and correlation tests were performed with a significance set at p < 0.05. As the main results, 66.7% of players perceived that the menstrual period affects their performance in the game, 83.3% did not communicate with coaches about their menstrual cycle; the prevalence of risk of LEA was 26.3%; players with risk of LEA also presented higher scores ON; neither LEA nor ON presented a significant association with players performance. The findings highlighted that youth players perceived an impact of the menstrual period on performance, but did not communicate with the coach about it. Players with the risk of LEA and high values of ON seem not to be associated with a decrease in physical performance during the pre-season evaluation. Attention is required as the players were assessed once. Monitoring these parameters throughout the sports season is recommended to obtain better clarification about the topic. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2024 Are menstrual cycle symptoms related to sleep problems and mental health in female athletes? Survey study, 2022 How common are premenstrual symptoms, and do they change with age? Survey study, 2021 Does the menstrual cycle affect women's ability to train and compete? Randomised trial, 2026 What types and amounts of exercise help or harm PMS? Survey study, 2024 What premenstrual symptoms do martial arts athletes experience? Systematic review, 2022 Do athletes' feelings and performance change across the menstrual cycle? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗