The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction The menstrual cycle influences various physiological systems, including energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, and psychological states, which collectively impact athletic performance. Despite increased research in this area, findings remain inconsistent due to individual variab...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57659 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823856538900496384 |
|---|---|
| author | Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska Dominika Lewandowska Julia Ufnal Anna Podraza Dominika Strep Julia Grabowska Maciej Kwiatkowski Patryk Romańczyk Julia Białczak Weronika Kanownik |
| author_facet | Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska Dominika Lewandowska Julia Ufnal Anna Podraza Dominika Strep Julia Grabowska Maciej Kwiatkowski Patryk Romańczyk Julia Białczak Weronika Kanownik |
| author_sort | Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
The menstrual cycle influences various physiological systems, including energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, and psychological states, which collectively impact athletic performance. Despite increased research in this area, findings remain inconsistent due to individual variability and methodological differences. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance to identify actionable strategies for female athletes.
Materials and Methods
A systematic review of 35 studies published between 2019 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed and PMC databases. Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining the physiological, psychological, or performance-related effects of menstrual cycle phases. Each study was evaluated for its methodology, population, and outcomes to ensure a comprehensive analysis.
Analysis of the Literature
This review explores the influence of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle on energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, endurance, strength, and psychological aspects. It highlights individualized recovery strategies and long-term adaptations to phase-specific training.
Conclusions
Menstrual cycle phases exert significant, though variable, effects on athletic performance. While the follicular phase favors carbohydrate metabolism and high-intensity activities, the luteal phase supports fatigue resistance and fat utilization. Personalized training protocols informed by hormonal profiling can optimize outcomes, though further research is needed to standardize methodologies and evaluate long-term adaptations.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df6e2c8dab6b43669dc810438e42808b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-df6e2c8dab6b43669dc810438e42808b2025-02-12T08:17:49ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-02-017810.12775/JEHS.2025.78.57659The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive ReviewDominika Rosińska-Lewandoska0https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2205-0813Dominika Lewandowska1https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8297-9296Julia Ufnal2https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5766-6995Anna Podraza3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4214-3882Dominika Strep4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1931-5059Julia Grabowska5https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3715-8498Maciej Kwiatkowski6https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8304-5454Patryk Romańczyk7https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6284-5354Julia Białczak8https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1881-1820Weronika Kanownik9https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7298-604XMunicipal Public Health Care Facility in Łask, Polna Street 12, 98-100 Łask, Polandaffiliation nOvum Medical Clinic, Bociania Street 13, 02-807 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland Introduction The menstrual cycle influences various physiological systems, including energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, and psychological states, which collectively impact athletic performance. Despite increased research in this area, findings remain inconsistent due to individual variability and methodological differences. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance to identify actionable strategies for female athletes. Materials and Methods A systematic review of 35 studies published between 2019 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed and PMC databases. Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining the physiological, psychological, or performance-related effects of menstrual cycle phases. Each study was evaluated for its methodology, population, and outcomes to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Analysis of the Literature This review explores the influence of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle on energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, endurance, strength, and psychological aspects. It highlights individualized recovery strategies and long-term adaptations to phase-specific training. Conclusions Menstrual cycle phases exert significant, though variable, effects on athletic performance. While the follicular phase favors carbohydrate metabolism and high-intensity activities, the luteal phase supports fatigue resistance and fat utilization. Personalized training protocols informed by hormonal profiling can optimize outcomes, though further research is needed to standardize methodologies and evaluate long-term adaptations. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57659Menstrual cycleathletic performancehormonal fluctuationsendurancestrengthneuromuscular function |
| spellingShingle | Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska Dominika Lewandowska Julia Ufnal Anna Podraza Dominika Strep Julia Grabowska Maciej Kwiatkowski Patryk Romańczyk Julia Białczak Weronika Kanownik The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review Journal of Education, Health and Sport Menstrual cycle athletic performance hormonal fluctuations endurance strength neuromuscular function |
| title | The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | impact of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance a comprehensive review |
| topic | Menstrual cycle athletic performance hormonal fluctuations endurance strength neuromuscular function |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57659 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dominikarosinskalewandoska theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT dominikalewandowska theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliaufnal theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT annapodraza theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT dominikastrep theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliagrabowska theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT maciejkwiatkowski theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT patrykromanczyk theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliabiałczak theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT weronikakanownik theimpactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT dominikarosinskalewandoska impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT dominikalewandowska impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliaufnal impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT annapodraza impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT dominikastrep impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliagrabowska impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT maciejkwiatkowski impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT patrykromanczyk impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT juliabiałczak impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview AT weronikakanownik impactofmenstrualcyclephasesonathleticperformanceacomprehensivereview |