--- title: Is aerobic exercise performance worse during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase? description: Yes. Women completed a cycling time trial more slowly and reported higher fatigue during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/exercise-performance-is-impaired-during-the-midluteal-phase-of-the-menstrual-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is aerobic exercise performance worse during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase? Survey study, 2021 # Is aerobic exercise performance worse during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase? Yes. Women completed a cycling time trial more slowly and reported higher fatigue during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. Early or limited evidence 12 recreationally active women, average age 25 years ## What they did 12 recreationally active women (average age 25 years) each completed an 8-kilometer cycling time trial during two different phases of their menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (early cycle) and the luteal phase (late cycle). ## What they found Women produced less power during the luteal phase (averaging 115 watts) compared to the follicular phase (averaging 125 watts). This resulted in a slower time trial during the luteal phase (18.3 minutes) compared to the follicular phase (17.8 minutes). Women reported higher fatigue during the luteal phase, but their heart rate and oxygen use were similar between phases. Mood was more negative before exercise in the luteal phase but improved after exercise. ## What it means for you Exercise may feel harder and produce slower results during the luteal phase of the cycle. This study included only 12 recreationally active women, so findings may not apply to all women, including female athletes or women with more severe premenstrual symptoms. 12 Women studied 18.3 vs 17.8 min Time trial duration in luteal vs follicular phase 115 vs 125 W Power output in luteal vs follicular phase ## About the study Original title Exercise Performance Is Impaired during the Midluteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle Authors Freemas JA, Baranauskas MN, Constantini K et al. Journal Medicine and science in sports and exercise Year 2021 Study design Survey study What was tested None—this was an observational study comparing two cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002464](https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002464) ## Topics [Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/) 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 Study, 2021 Does the point in the menstrual cycle change mood, anxiety and exercise performance in active women? Systematic review, 2026 Does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance and fatigue in female athletes? Randomised trial, 2025 Does exercise reduce menstrual symptoms and sleep problems? Systematic review, 2022 Do athletes' feelings and performance change across the menstrual cycle? Review, 2001 What are PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? Systematic review, 2026 Does exercise help with mood problems, pain, and fatigue in women with PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗