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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Joel R. Dunstan¹  Mikaeli A. Carmichael¹  Thomas P. Wycherley¹  Rebecca L. Thomson¹  Maximillian J. Nelson¹  Michael L. Mathai²  Lisa J. Moran³ 

[1] Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;Institute for Health and Sport, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia;

关键词: menstruation;    sport;    female;    fatigue;    wellbeing;    physical performance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18189591

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

Unknown