Abstract
Ovarian hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle (MC) may influence neuromuscular performance, but findings are inconsistent, especially regarding ballistic power in velocity-based resistance exercises. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine differences in upper‑ and lower‑body muscular power and body composition (BC) between the mid‑follicular (MFP) and mid‑luteal (MLP) phases in healthy young adult women. METHODS: Eighteen eumenorrheic young adult women (age = 20.8 ± 1.6 years) were recruited to assess upper- and lower-body muscular power and BC during the MFP (days 7–10) and MLP (days 21–23) across two MCs. Each participant completed five visits, including one screening visit and four testing sessions. The MC phase was determined using self-reported and app-based tracking (Period Tracker and Calendar). All testing sessions were conducted in the morning following an overnight fast. The hydration status was confirmed at each testing session using urine specific gravity (1.004–1.029). BC was measured using dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Muscular power was assessed using a Tendo Unit Power Analyzer during bench press throw (BPT) and countermovement jump (CMJ) exercises. BPT was performed on a Smith machine using a 15-lb barbell, and CMJ trials were completed with an arm swing. Before testing, participants were instructed in proper techniques for both exercises to ensure consistency across visits. A total of five single‑repetition sets were completed for both BPT and CMJ, with one minute of rest between sets. RESULTS: For BPT, no differences were detected between MFP and MLP in average power (AP), partial average power (PAP), peak power (PP), average velocity (AV), peak velocity (PV), or peak force (PF) (p ≥ 0.05). For CMJ, no differences were detected for AP, PAP, PP, AV, PV, or PF (p ≥ 0.05). Absolute body-water and mass compartments were similar between phases, including total body water, intracellular water, extracellular water, lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat (PBF), body fat mass, dry lean mass, and body mass (p ≥ 0.05). Simple linear regression indicated that MFP CMJ PV was inversely associated with MFP PBF (R² = 0.673, p < 0.001), such that higher PBF predicted lower PV. A similar relationship was observed in the mid-luteal session, where MLP CMJ PV was inversely associated with MLP PBF (R² = 0.429, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: No phase‑related differences were observed in muscular power or BC, indicating that upper‑ and lower‑body ballistic power remains stable across the MC. However, PBF was inversely associated with CMJ PV in both phases. These findings suggest that the MC phase may not influence ballistic power, whereas BC, particularly PBF, may play a more meaningful role in performance. Future research should explore whether these patterns persist across a larger sample, among trained athletes, or under varying loading conditions.
Recommended Citation
Montes, Jennifer; Cantu-Rodriguez, Adilen; Buchanan, Samuel R.; and Lopez, Alexis
(2026)
"Ballistic Power and Body Composition Across the Menstrual Cycle,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 89.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/89