---
title: How does menstruation affect female taekwondo athletes' training and performance?
description: Physical premenstrual symptoms and menstrual cramps most affected athletic performance. Menstruation did not stop athletes from competing, but weight loss bef
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-experience-of-menstruation-during-sports-activity-in-taekwondo-2024/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How does menstruation affect female taekwondo athletes' training and performance?

Survey study, 2024

# How does menstruation affect female taekwondo athletes' training and performance?

Physical premenstrual symptoms and menstrual cramps most affected athletic performance. Menstruation did not stop athletes from competing, but weight loss before competition was common and linked to irregular periods.

 Early or limited evidence

33 active female taekwondo competitors

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 33 active female taekwondo competitors. Athletes were asked about their experience of menstruation and how it affected their ability to train and compete physically and mentally.

## What they found

Physical symptoms and menstrual cramps most affected physical performance. Emotional symptoms most affected mental preparation. Most athletes did not miss training or competition. 87.8% intentionally lost weight before competition. 51.5% said weight changes affected menstrual regularity.

## What it means for you

Female taekwondo athletes generally compete during menstruation despite symptoms. Physical and emotional premenstrual symptoms do affect performance, and rapid weight loss before competition may disrupt periods. Results apply only to taekwondo and may differ for other sports.

87.8%

intentionally lost weight before competition

51.5%

said weight changes affected menstrual regularity

33

participants

## About the study

Original title The Experience of Menstruation During Sports Activity in Taekwondo Authors Katarina Mihaljević, Olivera Petrak, Dalibor Kiseljak Journal Studia sportiva Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 33 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5817/sts2024-2-1](https://doi.org/10.5817/sts2024-2-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

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

Systematic review, 2023

How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?

Survey study, 2024

Can period-related symptoms predict whether female cyclists manipulate their periods?

Survey study, 2022

Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period?

Study, 1995

Do women who exercise have fewer PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2025

What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players?

Survey study, 1964

How common are mood and physical changes around menstruation?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗