Cohort study, 2013
Does menstrual cycle length affect muscle strength and mood in young female dancers?
Yes. Female dancers with shorter menstrual cycles (under 28 days) had stronger muscles but significantly worse mood and tiredness compared to those with longer cycles (over 28 days).
What they did
Researchers tracked 12 young female professional dancers weekly for one complete menstrual cycle. Six dancers had cycles shorter than 28 days and six had cycles longer than 28 days. They measured lower-body muscle strength, mood, tiredness, heart rate patterns, and hormone levels (estradiol and progesterone).
What they found
Dancers with short cycles had significantly stronger muscles than those with long cycles. However, they reported significantly more tiredness and mood problems throughout the cycle, especially in the two weeks before their period. Hormone patterns differed between the groups. The long-cycle group had normal hormone patterns, but the short-cycle group did not have the expected rise in progesterone during the second half of the cycle.
What it means for you
Women with shorter menstrual cycles may have worse PMS symptoms even though they are physically stronger. The different hormone patterns suggest their bodies may produce hormones in an unusual way. This is a very small study so we cannot draw firm conclusions.
12
Total dancers studied
6
Size of each group
28 days
Cycle cutoff
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual Cycle, Muscle Strength, and Mood Disturbance in Female Dancers
- Authors
- Wei-Hua Lin
- Journal
- Sports & Exercise Research
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 6
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5297/ser.1502.010
Topics
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