Study, 2026
How do mood, heart rate, and muscle strength change during the menstrual cycle?
Heart rate patterns change across the cycle, especially during the mid-luteal phase when progesterone is highest. Muscle strength appears stable, but feeling energetic links with muscle activity. Depression increases during the early-cycle phase.
What they did
Tested 15 young women three times: during menstruation, during the late follicular phase, and during the mid-luteal phase. Each test measured heart rate variability, leg muscle strength, and mood.
What they found
Heart rate variability was lower during the mid-luteal phase compared to menstruation and late follicular phases. Maximum leg muscle strength and how quickly women could develop force showed no clear differences across the three phases. Depression increased during the late follicular phase. Feeling energetic was linked with muscle activity. Most other connections between heart rate measures and mood were not found.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle changes how the nervous system controls heart rate, with the biggest difference during the mid-luteal phase. Muscle strength appears stable across the cycle. The findings suggest heart rate variability might be useful for tracking changes in female athletes. The main limitation is the small sample size of 15 women, so findings need confirmation in larger studies.
15
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Influence of menstrual cycle on autonomic nervous system, muscular strength and mood states
- Authors
- Serrano HM, Gueugneau N, Ravier G
- Journal
- Scientific reports
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-56802-0
Topics
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