Does the menstrual cycle affect fitness performance?

Introduction Previous studies have explored the influence of the menstrual cycle on various aspects of exercise performance. However, associations between menstrual cycle phases and fitness performance in women remain inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the effects of the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms on physical fitness test outcomes among female university students with and without regular exercise habits. Methods Eighteen female athletes and 13 female non-athlete university students volunteered for this study. Only those who completed all test sessions were included in the final analysis, resulting in the analysis of data from eight athletes (height: 1.66 ± 0.04 m; weight: 57.1 ± 2.9 kg) and eight non-athletes (height: 1.62 ± 0.05 m; weight: 58.0 ± 6.7 kg). Basal body temperature was used to categorize the menstrual cycle into three phases: menstrual, follicular, and luteal. A validated questionnaire assessed physical and mental symptoms related to menstruation. Fitness tests included handgrip strength, number of sit-ups, sit-and-reach, number of side-steps, 1000-m run, 50-m sprint, and standing long jump. Results In both groups, physical symptoms differed significantly between the menstrual phase and other phases. Mental symptoms showed no significant changes in athletes, whereas three mental symptoms varied significantly in non-athletes. No significant interaction was observed between the group and menstrual cycle phase in any physical fitness measure. Athletes outperformed non-athletes in all tests, except for handgrip strength, regardless of the menstrual cycle phase. Discussion These findings suggest that among women with mild premenstrual symptoms, the menstrual cycle may have a limited impact on physical fitness, regardless of training status. These outcomes might be relevant for physical fitness professionals and researchers, improving the understanding of the effects of menstrual cycle phases on physical fitness and psychological symptoms in women. Conclusion The menstrual cycle appears to have a minimal impact on physical fitness test performance among female university students with mild menstrual symptoms, regardless of training status.

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