--- title: Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much physical activity women do? description: No. In active women, daily physical activity remained stable across all menstrual cycle phases (around 50 minutes per day), even when premenstrual symptoms we url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-phase-premenstrual-symptoms-and-daily-physical-activity-a-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much physical activity women do? Cohort study, 2026 # Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much physical activity women do? No. In active women, daily physical activity remained stable across all menstrual cycle phases (around 50 minutes per day), even when premenstrual symptoms were present. Moderate study design 35 women aged 18-35 with regular menstrual cycles, 8 with PMS, 2 with PMDD ## What they did Longitudinal study of 35 women aged 18-35 with regular 21-35 day cycles. Over two consecutive menstrual cycles, participants tracked daily via app: cycle day, premenstrual symptoms (Screening Instrument for Premenstrual Symptoms), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Included 8 women with PMS and 2 with PMDD. ## What they found Across 1,407 daily observations, physical activity did not differ significantly across menstrual cycle phases. Moderate-to-vigorous activity averaged: premenstrual phase 54.5 min/day, ovulatory 52.2 min/day, menstrual 51.0 min/day, follicular 50.3 min/day, luteal 45.6 min/day (p > 0.05). Premenstrual symptoms showed no significant associations with physical activity. ## What it means for you Menstrual cycle phase and premenstrual symptoms do not reduce physical activity in active women. This contradicts common beliefs about the cycle limiting activity. Main limitation: study included only active women, so may not apply to sedentary women or elite athletes. Small sample (35 women) though carefully tracked daily. 35 women followed 1,407 daily observations 50 min/day average physical activity across all phases ## About the study Original title Menstrual Cycle Phase, Premenstrual Symptoms, and Daily Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Study Authors Claudia Kubica, Larissa Reifler, Livia Lehmann et al. Journal Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS) Year 2026 Study design Cohort study What was tested None, observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.36950/2026.2ciss038](https://doi.org/10.36950/2026.2ciss038) Original abstract Introduction & Purpose: Subjective perceptions of the menstrual cycle (MC) and physical activity (PA) suggest that the MC may negatively affect PA, particularly when premenstrual symptoms are present (Kolic et al., 2021). However, most existing studies are cross-sectional (Goaplan et al., 2024), which limits causal interpretation and may introduce bias (Matsumoto et al., 2021). Therefore, this study aimed to examine daily fluctuations in PA and premenstrual symptoms across two consecutive MCs using a longitudinal design. Methods: Participants were eligible if they were between 18–35 years old, had a natural MC lasting 21–35 days, and were not pregnant or breastfeeding for at least six months. Over two consecutive MCs, participants completed daily assessments via the m-path app (KU Leuven, Belgium). Data included MC tracking (MC day, basal body temperature, LH surge), premenstrual symptoms (Screening Instrument for Premenstrual Symptoms [SIPS]), and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire). The MC was divided into five phases according to Elliott-Sale et al. (2025): menstrual (MP), follicular (FP), ovulatory (OP), luteal (LP), and premenstrual phase (PP). Linear mixed models were applied to examine differences in MVPA across MC phases, including premenstrual symptoms as covariates. Results: Thirty-five participants (age: 26.5 ± 5.4 years) were included. The average MC length was 28.7 ± 2.6 days. Based on the SIPS, eight participants were classified as having PMS and two as having PMDD. Across 1,407 observations, no significant effect of MC phase on MVPA was found (MP: 51.0 ± 7.5 min/day; FP: 50.3 ± 7.0; OP: 52.2 ± 7.6; LP: 45.6 ± 7.7; PP: 54.5 ± 7.6; p > 0.05). Premenstrual symptoms showed no significant associations with PA. Discussion: MVPA remained stable across MC phases, even when symptoms occurred. This suggests that the MC and subjective symptom perception may not substantially affect PA in active women. However, these effects may vary in populations with distinct activity levels, such as sedentary women or elite athletes. Future studies should incorporate objective PA measures and examine psychosocial mediators of PA behavior across the MC. Conclusion: In active women, PA behavior appears consistent across MC phases, despite the presence of premenstrual symptoms. References Elliott-Sale, K. J., Altini, M., Doyle-Baker, P., Ferrer, E., Flood, T. R., Harris, R., ... & Burden, R. J. (2025). Why we must stop assuming and estimating menstrual cycle phases in laboratory and field-based sport related research. Sports Medicine, 55(6), 1339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02189-3 Gopalan, S. S., Mann, C., & Rhodes, R. E. (2024). Impact of symptoms, experiences, and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on recreational physical activity of cyclically menstruating individuals: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 184, 107980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.107980 Kolić, P. V., Sims, D. T., Hicks, K., Thomas, L., & Morse, C. I. (2021). Physical activity and the menstrual cycle: A mixed-methods study of women’s experiences. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 29(1), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2020-0050 Matsumoto, T., Egawa, M., Kimura, T., & Hayashi, T. (2021). Comparison between retrospective premenstrual symptoms and prospective late-luteal symptoms among college students. Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1(2021), 31-41. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? 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