Abstract
The effects of the academic calendar on the wellness and performance of female student-athletes have yet to be clearly understood. PURPOSE: To assess the impact of academic calendar timing on wellness and performance in Division I female lacrosse athletes. We hypothesized that both wellness scores and performance metrics would progressively decrease throughout each semester. METHODS: Data collection was conducted on 34 female lacrosse student athletes. These athletes completed daily self-reporting surveys to analyze wellness scores and wore microtechnology during games and training sessions. Wellness variables included mood, sleep quality, sleep duration, stress, muscle readiness, energy, and yesterday’s nutrition. Performance variables included high intensity distance (HID), accelerations, decelerations, max speed (km·hr-1), and total distance (m). Measurements were analyzed at three, two-week points in both semesters: beginning, middle, and end. RESULTS: Fall: All wellness variables showed significant time effects (p < 0.001–0.044) except sleep duration (p = 0.680). Mood (p = 0.003–0.034), sleep quality (p = 0.002–0.043), stress (p = 0.001–0.026), and energy (p = 0.001–0.034) differed across all time points. Muscle readiness was higher at the start vs. end of semester (p = 0.014), while nutrition showed no differences (p = 0.098–0.359). Academic stress was the most reported stressor mid‑fall (54%). All performance variables differed (p < 0.001–0.004): total distance (p = 0.007–0.049) and decelerations (p = 0.001–0.002) were lower at semester end; max speed (p = 0.001–0.041) and HID (p = 0.001–0.031) differed across all time points; accelerations peaked mid‑semester (p = 0.009–0.12). Spring: All wellness variables except muscle readiness showed time effects (p < 0.001–0.046). Mood (p = 0.001–0.002), sleep quality (p = 0.001–0.013), and stress (p = 0.011–0.023) were higher at the beginning vs. end of semester. Energy was higher early vs. mid‑semester (p = 0.027). Sleep duration was higher early vs. mid (p < 0.001) and late (p = 0.008). Academic stress was the top stressor late spring (46%). For performance, max speed (p < 0.001), accelerations (p = 0.031), and decelerations (p < 0.001) differed, while total distance (p = 0.707) and HID (p = 0.052) did not. Max speed paired tests revealed differences across all time points (p = 0.001-0.038). Accelerations and decelerations were highest early vs. mid (acceleration p = 0.017; deceleration p < 0.001) and end (acceleration p = 0.026; deceleration p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings of these results suggest that the timing of the academic calendar affects both wellness and performance variables. Additionally, findings showed that academic stress specifically, could be a cause of concern in student athlete's wellness and performance.
Recommended Citation
Woodward, Mackenzie; Kutac, Kyndal; Parker-Fordyce, Paula; and Bunn, Jennifer A.
(2026)
"Analyzing Female Athlete Wellness and Performance Variables Over the Academic Calendar Year,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 47.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/47