Exploring the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Agility Performance in Semi-Professional Female Soccer Players

Florent Osmani (), María Villar-Varela and Carlos Lago-Fuentes
Additional contact information
Florent Osmani: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain
María Villar-Varela: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain
Carlos Lago-Fuentes: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain

J, 2025, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-8

Abstract: Background/Objectives : To analyze how the different phases of the menstrual cycle affect agility in female football players. Methods : A total of 11 female football players were selected from the third tier of the Spanish Football Federation (Third RFEF) and an agility test ( t -test) was conducted to measure agility during the three phases of the menstrual cycle: the menstrual, late follicular, and mid-luteal phases. These phases were determined through self-reporting and the use of ovulation test strips for luteinizing hormone detection. Perceptual variables, such as sleep quality, stress, muscle pain, and fatigue, as well as the rating of perceived exertion, were measured. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in agility performance across menstrual cycle phases (F (2,20) = 1.86; p = 0.18). However, performance in the mid-luteal phase was slightly better compared to other phases. Similarly, no significant differences were found in perceptual variables such as fatigue, sleep quality, stress, and muscle soreness ( p > 0.05), although slightly better perceptual responses were observed in the late follicular phase. Conclusions: No significant differences were found when analyzing the influence of menstrual cycle phases on agility, although performance appeared slightly better in the mid-luteal phase. No significant differences were observed in the perceptual variables. Both objective and perceptual variables should be considered in future studies or training programs based on the menstrual cycle.

Keywords: football; athletic performance; sex hormones; menstruation; follicular phase; perceptual variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I10 I12 I13 I14 I18 I19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8800/8/3/33/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8800/8/3/33/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jjopen:v:8:y:2025:i:3:p:33-:d:1739799

Access Statistics for this article

J is currently edited by Ms. Angelia Su

More articles in J from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().