The Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Physical Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic
Faculty Mentor
Garth Babcock
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
May 2025
End Date
May 2025
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Wellness & Movement Sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The menstrual cycle is a biological process that causes physiological changes which may affect physical performance. Despite numerous studies exploring the topic of menstrual cycles, the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and physical performance remains inconclusive. The purpose of this critical appraisal is to evaluate existing literature on the effects of the menstrual cycle phases on physical performance. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on the SPORTDiscus database using a series of keywords. Thirty-nine articles were reviewed and six were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a minimum score of 17 using the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: Overall, the reviewed studies showed no significant effects of the menstrual cycle on physical performance. While some studies reported adverse effects of the luteal phase on endurance and balance, many found no significant differences in physical parameters across the menstrual phases. Most studies were limited by small sample sizes and relied on self-reported menstrual cycle data, which can affect the accuracy of menstrual phase tracking. CONCLUSION: The evidence on the impact of the menstrual cycle on physical performance remains inconclusive, with substantial variability across studies. While some differences in performance were observed in certain phases, limitations such as small sample sizes, limited control of confounders, and self-reported menstrual tracking prevent a definitive conclusion. The studies primarily focused on eumenorrheic participants, limiting the generalizability of the results to all populations experiencing menstruation. Future research should involve larger, more diverse samples to better understand how hormonal fluctuations influence physical performance in women.
Recommended Citation
Khongkhangam, Pitchaya Pearl, "The Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Physical Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic" (2025). 2025 Symposium. 14.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2025/ps_2025/p1_2025/14
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
The Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Physical Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic
PUB NCR
BACKGROUND: The menstrual cycle is a biological process that causes physiological changes which may affect physical performance. Despite numerous studies exploring the topic of menstrual cycles, the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and physical performance remains inconclusive. The purpose of this critical appraisal is to evaluate existing literature on the effects of the menstrual cycle phases on physical performance. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on the SPORTDiscus database using a series of keywords. Thirty-nine articles were reviewed and six were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a minimum score of 17 using the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: Overall, the reviewed studies showed no significant effects of the menstrual cycle on physical performance. While some studies reported adverse effects of the luteal phase on endurance and balance, many found no significant differences in physical parameters across the menstrual phases. Most studies were limited by small sample sizes and relied on self-reported menstrual cycle data, which can affect the accuracy of menstrual phase tracking. CONCLUSION: The evidence on the impact of the menstrual cycle on physical performance remains inconclusive, with substantial variability across studies. While some differences in performance were observed in certain phases, limitations such as small sample sizes, limited control of confounders, and self-reported menstrual tracking prevent a definitive conclusion. The studies primarily focused on eumenorrheic participants, limiting the generalizability of the results to all populations experiencing menstruation. Future research should involve larger, more diverse samples to better understand how hormonal fluctuations influence physical performance in women.
