Efectos de la fase menstrual en el rendimiento y bienestar de mujeres jóvenes futbolistas (Effects of the menstrual phase on the performance and well-being of female young soccer players)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze variations in performance and subjective perception of well-being in youth soccer players between menstrual (FM), follicular (FF) and luteal (FL) phases. Twelve female soccer players participated (age, 16.18 ± 1.68 years; height, 164 ± 7.27 cm; body mass, 61.90 ± 6.37 kg), all with 4 years of competitive experience, and 3.1 ± 1 years with a regular menstrual cycle. The maximum speed in 40-m, ability to change direction (25-m with 5 changes of direction of 45º every 5 m), explosive strength of the lower limbs with dominant, non-dominant, bipodal leg and vertical jump height were evaluated using Squat Jump into each phase, along with the Hooper's subjective well-being questionnaire. No differences between menstrual phases were obtained in any performance outcome, sleep, fatigue, stress, or muscle pain (all p> 0.05). However, a lower (worse) general wellbeing (p <0.01) was noted during FM and FL compared to FF. Youth female soccer players well-being perception between menstrual phases provides relevant information to take into account by practitioners working with such athletes.