A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes

Mikaeli A. Carmichael, Rebecca L. Thomson, Lisa J. Moran, Joel R. Dunstan, Maximillian J. Nelson, Michael L. Mathai and Thomas P. Wycherley
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Mikaeli A. Carmichael: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Rebecca L. Thomson: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Lisa J. Moran: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Joel R. Dunstan: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Maximillian J. Nelson: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Michael L. Mathai: Institute for Health and Sport, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Thomas P. Wycherley: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-11

Abstract: The effect of the menstrual cycle on athlete performance, wellbeing and perceived exertion and fatigue is not well understood. Furthermore, it has not been investigated specifically in Australian Football athletes. This pilot study aimed to explore how naturally menstruating Australian Football athletes may be affected by menstrual cycle phase. The data collected from the routine monitoring of five naturally menstruating athletes (average menstrual cycle length of 28 ± 3 [SD] days) in one team (athlete age range 18–35 years) competing in the Women’s Australian Football League during the 2019 season were retrospectively analysed to compare performance (countermovement jump parameters and adductor squeeze pressure), perceived exertion, perceived fatigue and wellbeing (perceived sleep quality, stress and soreness) outcomes between the follicular and luteal phases. Performance, perceived exertion, stress and soreness did not appear to be affected by menstrual cycle phase ( p > 0.17). However, perceived fatigue appeared to be significantly greater ( p = 0.042) and sleep quality worse ( p = 0.005) in the luteal phase. This pilot study suggests further research focusing on the effect of menstrual cycle phase on subjective fatigue and wellbeing is warranted.

Keywords: menstruation; sport; female; fatigue; wellbeing; physical performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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