---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance and fatigue in female athletes?
description: Lab tests showed stable athletic performance across the menstrual cycle, but the premenstrual phase linked to higher fatigue. In real games, athletes covered
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-phases-on-skill-related-components-of-physical-2026/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance and fatigue in female athletes?

Systematic review, 2026

# Does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance and fatigue in female athletes?

Lab tests showed stable athletic performance across the menstrual cycle, but the premenstrual phase linked to higher fatigue. In real games, athletes covered less distance during menstruation with separate thinking changes.

 Strong study design

Female athletes aged 16 and older (from 15 studies)

## What they did

Systematic review of 15 studies published from January 2020 to December 2025 examining how menstrual cycle phases affect athletic skill performance (speed, jumping, agility, fatigue) in female athletes aged 16 and older.

## What they found

Lab tests showed minor changes in sprint speed and jump performance. The premenstrual phase was linked to higher susceptibility to fatigue shown in repeated sprint tests, nerve-muscle function, and body chemistry markers. In real athletic situations, athletes covered less high-speed and total distance during their menstrual cycle and early follicular phase. Changes in thinking occurred independently of physical changes.

## What it means for you

Female athletes can maintain stable performance in controlled lab settings throughout their cycle, but fatigue, match intensity, and thinking vary at different cycle times. Each athlete should be individually monitored. The main limitation is that studies used very different methods.

15

Studies reviewed

## About the study

Original title Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on skill-related components of physical fitness in eumenorrheic athletes: A Systematic Review Authors Dr. Garima Mehta (PT), Dr. Piyush Singh, Renuka Jakhar Journal JOURNAL OF ADVANCE AND FUTURE RESEARCH Year 2026 Study design Systematic review What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.56975/jaafr.v4i4.507836](https://doi.org/10.56975/jaafr.v4i4.507836)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

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