Research Explained: Does the Menstrual Cycle Affect Athletic Performance?

Tap the image below to play the video summarising the study and key findings.

Transcript

This 2024 study examined a cohort of elite British Track and Field athlets and how they believe that their menstrual cycle affects their performance.

The study found that the majority of athletes reported that they believe their cycle has an effect on their performance among all event groups.

Athletes most commonly reported lower levels of performance during their late luteal and early follicular phases. it is hypothesized that this is due to lower estrogen and progesterone levels during this period.

However, the authors of the study warn that more research is needed to fully understand the link between the menstrual cycle and performance. Despite the athlete’s self-reported beliefs, a meta-analysis did not find a significant effect between an athlete's performance and their menstrual cycle.

Therefore, coaches should not recommend using oral contraceptives to manipulate an athlete's cycle purely for performance reasons.

If you're interested in learning more about the menstrual cycle and how it can affect athlete performance, complete the menstrual cycle and athletic performance course on the Athletics Learning Centre.