Survey study, 2024
Does the stage of your menstrual cycle change your balance?
Yes, this small study found balance and postural control were slightly worse before ovulation and improved after ovulation.
What they did
Researchers studied 63 women. They tracked cycles with ovulation kits and questionnaires on cycle regularity, PMS, attitudes to periods, and activity level. Balance and postural sway were measured twice with special balance-testing machines, once before ovulation and once after ovulation.
What they found
After ovulation, weight-bearing on the non-dominant leg went up by 3% and on the dominant leg went down by 2.5% (both p = 0.01). Functional reach distance (a balance measure) increased by 8% after ovulation. Two other measures did not change significantly (p = 0.35 and p = 0.18).
What it means for you
Balance may be a bit less steady in the days before ovulation and improve afterward, but this was a small, one-time comparison with no treatment tested, so it cannot prove the cycle alone causes this or whether it matters for daily life.
63
Participants
8%
Increase in functional reach after ovulation
+3% (p=0.01)
Change in weight-bearing, non-dominant leg
About the study
- Original title
- Does Phase of the Menstrual Cycle Affect Balance and Postural Control?
- Authors
- Elvan A, Kirişçi S, Başer Seçer M et al.
- Journal
- Journal of motor behavior
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 63
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2023.2241403
Topics
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