Survey study, 2020
Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast female athletes run?
The study found no clear difference in running speed between the follicular and luteal phases. Running times slowed on menstruating days compared to non-menstruating days for most athletes.
What they did
A study of 8 female college athletes. Researchers collected information about their menstrual cycles, menstrual symptoms, birth control use, and measured their race times during different phases of the cycle and on menstruating versus non-menstruating days.
What they found
Athletic performance did not show clear differences when comparing the follicular phase and luteal phase of the cycle. However, most athletes had slower race times on days when they were menstruating compared to days when they were not menstruating.
What it means for you
Your menstrual cycle may affect your athletic performance on menstruating days. Tracking your cycle could help your trainer plan your workouts and identify injury risks. This study only included 8 athletes from one college athletic program, so findings may not apply to all athletes.
8
Female athletes studied
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Athletic Performance in NCAA Division III Collegiate Athletes
- Authors
- Amy J. Tremback-Ball, Kaitlin Fulton, Nicole Giampietro et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Womenʼs Health Physical Therapy
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Survey study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/jwh.0000000000000188
Topics
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