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.
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
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2022
Do athletes' feelings and performance change across the menstrual cycle?
Survey study, 2024
What premenstrual symptoms do martial arts athletes experience?
Study, 2026
Does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance, recovery, or sleep despite hormone changes?
Survey study, 2026
How does menstruation affect girls' participation in organized sports?
Survey study, 2025
Do mental abilities like reaction time and attention change across the menstrual cycle?
Study, 2025
Do women have different symptom patterns before, during, and after menopause?