Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: | 1941 |
| Title of the paper: | Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Performance-Determining Parameters in Female Football Players: A Systematic Review |
| Authors: | Dahl Rasmussen, K., Smith Bisgaard, M., Hansen, M. |
| Institution: | Aarhus University |
| Department: | Department of Public Health |
| Country: | Denmark |
| Abstract text | INTRODUCTION: Female football players experience cyclical hormonal fluctuations that may influence physiological parameters relevant to performance, including cardiovascular capacity, neuromuscular function, and overall athletic performance. As the professional demands in the women’s game continue to rise, understanding whether menstrual cycle (MC) phases affect football-specific performance is increasingly important for training design and player management. This systematic review examined whether MC phases influence performance-determining parameters in female football players. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and SPORTDiscus was following PRISMA guidelines and updated through January 2026. Eligible studies included eumenorrheic football players and reported at least one quantitative performance outcome across two or more defined MC phases. Outcomes were grouped into aerobic performance, sprint and high-intensity running, agility and power. Methodological quality and MC phase verification were assessed using a modified version of an existing quality tool. This study was supported by a Danish Football Union grant. The funder had no role in the study. RESULTS: Fifteen prospective observational studies (n=210) met inclusion criteria. Evidence for MC phase effects on performance was inconsistent. Five out of 15 studies reported reduced aerobic or sprint performance in the early follicular phase compared with the late follicular or mid-luteal phases, whereas ten studies found no differences across phases. No MC phase effects were observed for agility or power outcomes. Methodological limitations were common, including small sample sizes, heterogeneous performance tests, short observation periods, and insufficient MC phase verification. Many studies did not confirm ovulation or hormonal profiles, increasing the risk of misclassification. Most studies were rated low or very low in quality, limiting confidence in the observed effects. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that aerobic and sprint performance may be slightly impaired during the early follicular phase in female football players, potentially reflecting low estrogen and progesterone concentrations or increased symptom burden during bleeding. However, overall findings remain inconclusive. The lack of consistent results likely reflects methodological limitations rather than the absence of physiological effects. Future research should apply standardized performance tests, longer observation periods, and rigorous hormonal verification to clarify whether MC-related hormonal fluctuations meaningfully influence football-specific performance. Individual monitoring of symptoms and performance may be more informative for applied practice than generalized phase-based recommendations. |
| Topic: | Physiology |
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