ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH29
Background: Psychological responses to training and competition can vary across the menstrual cycle, yet phase-specific patterns in active and trained women remain poorly characterised. Objective: To synthesise current evidence on psychological outcomes across the phases of the natural menstrual cycle in active women and athletes. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if they assessed psychological outcomes across at least two menstrual cycle phases in women with natural menstrual cycles (≥18 years) who were engaged in structured training or physically active (≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week) for at least 3 months. Five studies were identified through database searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) and screened independently by two reviewers. Outcomes were analysed narratively due to the heterogeneity of results. The methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results: Across studies, the menstrual and luteal phases were associated with reductions in positive mood and motivation, increased somatic complaints, and elevated emotional tension. Cognitive-affective outcomes such as attention and perceived performance were also impaired, particularly in the late luteal phase. In contrast, the follicular phase showed more favourable psychological functioning. The ovulatory phase was often not verified in the studies. Perceived interference and negative menstrual attitudes moderated several outcomes independent of physiological measures. Conclusions: Psychological states may vary across the menstrual cycle, with evidence suggesting greater vulnerability during the luteal and menstrual phases. These findings support the relevance of cycle-informed monitoring and the potential value of individualised support strategies in sport contexts to optimise well-being and performance in active women and athletes.
Read CV Tiago RibeiroECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH29
Introduction: Psychological androgyny, characterized by the simultaneous presence of high masculine and feminine traits, is increasingly recognized as a flexible internal resource that supports adaptive functioning. While sport environments demand high levels of both assertiveness and emotional regulation, the interplay between gender role orientation, biological markers, and psychological well-being remains under-researched in female populations. This study investigated the relationship between psychological gender role orientation, sport performance levels, salivary testosterone, and indicators of mental health. Methods: A total of 300 women (aged 18–35 years) participated, including high-performance athletes (40.3%), recreational athletes (25.0%), and physically less active individuals (34.7%). Gender role orientation was assessed using a Hungarian-adapted version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). Psychological well-being and global self-esteem were measured using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Basal salivary free testosterone levels were determined in a subsample (n=86) using quantitative ELISA assays. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc test, Chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: A significant association was found between sport performance and gender role orientation (p=0.026), with high-performance athletes exhibiting the highest prevalence of androgyny (44%). Androgynous individuals reported significantly higher self-esteem and well-being compared to undifferentiated and feminine groups (p<0.001), regardless of their sport participation level. No significant differences in basal testosterone levels were observed across gender role orientations or sport performance groups (p>0.05), reinforcing that psychological androgyny is a psychosocial construct independent of baseline hormonal markers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that psychological androgyny serves as a robust internal resource that supports mental health and resilience in women. Since these psychological benefits persist across all levels of physical activity, fostering gender role flexibility within sports environments may be a meaningful strategy to enhance athlete well-being and adaptive functioning.
Read CV Taysir LaajiliECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH29
INTRODUCTION: Current physical activity guidelines recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate exercise weekly for health benefits. While exercise is protective when performed moderately, compulsive exercise, or exercise dependence, can coexist with and potentially exacerbate eating disorders (ED), particularly in contexts emphasizing leanness or aesthetics. The relationship between exercise volume, body image, and ED risk is complex and bidirectional, yet research has primarily focused on athletic populations, leaving a gap regarding amateur adults. This observational study investigates the association between high weekly exercise volume and eating attitudes in healthy adults, examining differences by sex, exercise volume, and activity type. METHODS: 417 healthy adults (58.5% female) completed an informative questionnaire on weekly PE, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and were included in data analysis. The EAT-26 total score and its subscales were calculated, with a score ≥20 indicating ED risk. IPAQ was expressed as total MET-min/week and categorized into low, moderate, and high levels. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons (t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square), and bivariate correlations (Pearson/Spearman) were performed. Differences in ED risk across exercise modalities were analyzed with ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis tests and post-hoc comparisons. Predictors of ED risk were identified via binary logistic regression, with structured exercise minutes, MET-minutes, exercise type, and sex as independent variables. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between EAT-26 scores and weekly exercise volume, total MET-minutes, BMI, or age. However, a significant sex disparity was identified, with females exhibiting a threefold higher prevalence of at-risk EAT-26 scores (17.6%) compared to males (5.2%). A key finding was the interaction between sex and adherence to the ACSM guideline threshold of 300 minutes per week. While the sex gap in ED risk was significant among those not exceeding this guideline (χ2=10.560, p=0.001; females= 19.2%, male= 4.5%), it was non-significant among those exceeding it (χ2=1.432, p=0.231; females= 11.8%, male= 6.0%), suggesting a differential moderating effect of high-volume exercise. No significant differences in ED risk were observed across different types of structured exercise (functional training, group fitness, weightlifting, team sports, individual sports). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that in a healthy adult population, exercise volume alone is not a direct linear predictor of ED risk. Instead, sex remains the strongest demographic predictor, with high-volume exercise potentially attenuating the sex disparity in risk among females. These findings underscore the need for a multidimensional approach to assessing ED risk, emphasizing psychological factors and motivational context over quantitative exercise metrics alone.
Read CV Alessandra AmatoECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH29