Author(s): IMBERT, S., DAUSSIN, F.N., Institution: UNIVERSITÉ DE LILLE, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 1604

INTRODUCTION:
Rugby is an intermittent team sport in which acceleration and maximal speed are key parameters involved in performance. In womens physiology, the question of whether the menstrual cycle can influence performance is increasingly present in the scientific literature. The aim is to find out whether athletes hormonal levels can influence their speed performance.
METHODS:
Nineteen young female rugby players (mean age: 15.9 ± 0.7 years, mean body mass: 67.4 ± 13 kg, mean height: 165 ± 7.9 cm) playing at the highest youth level were involved in this study. Players do not take contraception. Saliva samples were taken once a week on waking to determine their progesterone (pg/ml) and estradiol levels (pg/ml) during sixteen weeks. On the same day, the players performed two 40m sprints. The sprint performances were recorded and analyzed using a Global Positioning System (GPexe GPS Micro-technology) to determine the in-situ acceleration-speed profile. The analysis allowed us to determine the maximal theoretical acceleration (A0 in m/s2) and the maximal theoretical speed (V0 in km/h). Correlation between force-velocity parameters and progesterone and estradiol levels were tested. The players were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their feelings during the different hormonal cycles.
RESULTS:
No correlation was found between progesterone (52.7±41) and estradiol (4.5±2.5) levels with maximal speed (25±1.6) respectively p=0.4 and p=0.18, V0 (26.4±1.7), p=0.34 and p=0.57, and A0 (5.7±0.6), p=0.29 and p=0.32. The analysis of the questionnaire on how the players felt about their menstrual cycle. Revealed that 71% of the players felt that, at least at times, it hurt their performance and only 9% of the players thought that it had a positive impact.
CONCLUSION:
While hormonal variations occur during each cycle, no correlation was observed with in situ force-velocity profile parameters. These results contrast with the players feelings. Our data suggest that in the follow-up of young female players, hormonal monitoring is not a priority, especially when considering neuromuscular performance.