Abstract
Recently, the effects of the menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal fluctuations on performance outcomes and training readiness have received significant research focus, leading to the potential for more individualized and informed approaches in athlete training. Training readiness refers to an athlete´s state of balance between their current training load, fatigue, and potential risk of injury or illness. The MC is divided into two phases (± 28 days), commencing with the follicular or proliferative phase (days 1 to 13) followed by the luteal phase, also known as the secretory phase (days 14 to 28). Its hormonal fluctuation throughout the cycle can significantly affect an athlete´s readiness and thereby directly influencing overall performance outcomes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential differences between two stages of the menstrual cycle (early follicular & luteal phase) on subjective and objective readiness to train measures in Division II female athletes. METHODS: A repeated measures crossover design was used to determine differences in Heart Rate Variability (HRV), psychological readiness and jumping performance (JP). Fifteen participants completed all data collection (age = 19.6 ± 1.3 yrs., height = 164.67 ± 5.78 cm, weight = 62.44 ± 10.95 kg, body fat = 24.34 ± 6.46 %). Participants from track & field (n = 8), softball (n = 5) & cycling team (n = 2) arrived at the laboratory during the early follicular phase (days 1 to 7) and the early luteal phase (days 14 to 21) to perform to identical ST training in conjunction with their current training regimes. For each trial, participants completed a pre and post measurement including body composition assessment (dexa body composition), a three-minute heart rate variability measurement (Scosche Rhythm & Elite HRV phone application), a wellness questionnaire form and four consecutive maximal countermovement jumps with a 30 second rest period after each jump). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the early luteal phase (p < 0.01) compared to the early follicular phase. No significant differences were found for HRV (p = 0.62) & JP (p = 0.12) between the two phases. In the early luteal phases, athletes tend to be less negatively affected by psychological factors and appear more ready to work out, although this does not have a significant impact on performance metrics. CONCLUSION: Recent research has hypothesized a potential influence of hormonal fluctuations on performance and training variables. Our study concludes that in the early luteal phases, athletes tend to be less negatively affected by psychological factors and appear more ready to work out, although this does not have a significant impact on performance metrics. Simple sport science tools such as wellness questionnaires to measure psychological readiness, heart rate variability and jumping performance assessments can effectively monitor athlete´s training responses through the MC. These tools help enhance awareness and understanding of fluctuations in training readiness & performance.
Recommended Citation
Reinertz, Noah and Crossland, Brett Dr
(2025)
"Differences in Perceived Readiness to train between two Menstrual Cycle Phases in Division II Female Athletes,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 187.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/187
