Survey study, 2025
Does the menstrual cycle affect recovery after football matches?
The menstrual cycle has limited effect on how female footballers feel after matches. Perceived recovery may be slightly worse during menstruation, but overall no clear differences were found between cycle phases.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 13 professional female footballers. Players tracked their menstrual cycle using a calendar and urine hormone tests, then reported on fatigue, soreness, stress, sleep quality, and recovery for up to 4 menstrual cycles. Match intensity was measured using GPS tracking devices.
What they found
Perceived recovery status was potentially worse during menstruation, but no significant differences were found between menstrual phases overall. Fatigue, soreness, stress, and sleep differed between match day and the following two days, based on match intensity and slightly on menstrual phase. Sleep quality showed a slight improvement two days after matches.
What it means for you
Menstrual phase has limited impact on athletic recovery. Very small sample of elite athletes only, so findings may not apply to other women or sports. Study tracked cycles but didn't control for other factors that might affect recovery like nutrition or training load.
13
Professional female footballers
4
Menstrual cycles tracked
3
Days monitored after match
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual Phase and Postmatch Perceptual Recovery Responses for Naturally Menstruating Football Players
- Authors
- Brown GA, Fullagar HHK, Duffield R
- Journal
- International journal of sports physiology and performance
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - observational study of natural cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0295
Topics
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