Abstract
Previous research has extensively investigated the acute effects of the menstrual cycle (MC) on neuromuscular performance, particularly hand-grip strength (HGS) and lower-body power output (PO). In contrast, upper-body muscular strength and PO remain largely unexplored despite their relevance to sport and daily function. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare muscular strength and PO between the mid-follicular phase (MFP) and mid-luteal phase (MLP) of the MC. METHODS: Eighteen healthy young women (age 20.8 ± 1.6 years) with regular ovulatory cycles were recruited to assess HGS, upper-body muscular strength, and PO during the mid-follicular (days 7–10) and mid-luteal (days 21–23) phases over two menstrual cycles. Each participant completed five visits: one screening and four testing sessions. All testing sessions were conducted in the morning following an overnight fast. The MC phase was determined using self-reported and app-based tracking (Period Tracker and Calendar), confirmed through ongoing participant communication. HGS was measured on both hands using a Baseline Hand Dynamometer, recording the best of three 5-second maximal squeezes per hand, with 1-minute rest intervals between trials. The BTE PrimusRS assessed shoulder press (SP) and lat pulldown (LP) performance under isometric and isotonic conditions. Each participant was instructed on proper form for both the SP and the LP to maintain consistency across the visits. Isometric testing involved three maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs), each lasting 5 seconds, with a 1-minute rest between trials; the average MVC was calculated from the trials. Isotonic testing involved three sets of three maximal concentric explosive repetitions performed at 50% of MVC, with 1-minute rest intervals between sets. RESULTS: No phase-related differences were observed in HGS for the right hand (MFP: 23.32 ± 4.61 kg vs MLP: 23.06 ± 4.49 kg; p=0.647) or left hand (MFP: 21.40 ± 5.10 kg vs MLP: 21.33 ± 5.26 kg; p=0.868). Similarly, BTE measures did not differ between phases for SP MVC (MFP: 331.37 ± 74.50 N vs MLP: 329.57 ± 106.37 N; p=0.931), LP MVC (MFP: 550.36 ± 69.59 N vs MLP: 559.35 ± 74.49 N; p=0.445), SP PO (MFP: 49.51 ± 12.77 W vs MLP: 49.96 ± 15.62 W; p=0.876), or LP PO (MFP: 110.68 ± 24.10 W vs MLP: 112.18 ± 22.62 W; p=0.611). CONCLUSION: Upper-body muscular strength and power did not differ between the mid‑follicular and mid‑luteal phases in healthy young women. These findings suggest that the MC phase may not meaningfully influence upper-body neuromuscular performance during isometric or isotonic tasks. Future research should examine whether these patterns hold across a larger sample, among trained athletes at different intensities, and during phases with greater hormonal variability.
Recommended Citation
Cantu-Rodriguez, Adilen; Montes, Jennifer; Buchanan, Samuel R.; and Lopez, Alexis
(2026)
"Upper-Body Strength and Power Remain Stable Across the Menstrual Cycle,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 88.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/88