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Survey study, 2021

Does PMS affect jump performance in female athletes?

Female athletes with breast tenderness (a PMS symptom) showed reduced jump height during the luteal phase compared to those without this symptom. Overall, there were no major differences in jump performance across the menstrual cycle.

Early or limited evidence 16 female track and field athletes

What they did

Researchers studied 16 female track and field athletes. They tracked menstrual cycle phases using basal body temperature (low-temperature and high-temperature phases). They assessed PMS using a standard questionnaire and measured jump performance (counter movement jump and rebound jump) in both cycle phases.

What they found

Overall, there were no differences in body composition or jump performance between the low-temperature and high-temperature phases. However, athletes who reported breast tenderness (a PMS symptom) showed larger decreases in jump height during the high-temperature phase compared to athletes without breast tenderness.

What it means for you

One PMS symptom, breast tenderness, may be linked to reduced jumping ability during the luteal phase in female athletes. This is a very small study of athletes with specific training, so the results may not apply to all women or athletes. The study did not compare how PMS athletes do overall compared to non-PMS athletes across the full cycle.

16

female athletes

About the study

Original title
The relationship between PMS and jump performance in female track and field athletes
Authors
Reiko Momma, Koichiro Tanahashi, Yuriko Tochigi et al.
Journal
体力科學
Year
2021
Study design
Survey study
Open access
Yes

Topics