Menstrual cycles and the impact upon performance in elite British track and field athletes: a longitudinal study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and the perceived effect of menstrual cycles upon performance in elite athletes.MethodologyA longitudinal survey in the form of a questionnaire was sent to female track and field athletes at British Athletics every 6 months, over a five-year period between 1st October 2014 and 1st October 2019 in the United Kingdom (UK).Results128 athletes completed an average of 4.2 ± 2.9 questionnaires across the study period. The mean age of menarche was 14.2 ± 1.4 years, 13.4 ± 1.3 years and 12.8 ± 1.4 years in endurance, power, and thrower athletes respectively (p < 0.05). Two-thirds (66%; n = 82) reported consistently regular cycles, 30% (n = 37) irregular at some point during the period of observation and 4% (n = 5) were amenorrhoeic. 87 athletes (68%) reported dysmenorrhoea and 40 (31%) menorrhagia. More than three quarters (76.8%; n = 96) described their cycle negatively affected performance. Amongst those who reported when the negative impact occurred (n = 91), 40% (n = 36) reported this in the late luteal phase and 35% (n = 32) during the early follicular phase. 79% (n = 100) of athletes reported at least one cyclical symptom, of which bloating, lower back and pelvic pain were most frequently experienced.ConclusionThis data highlights the complex interrelationship between women's health and elite athletic performance. Athletes perceive a negative impact from their menstrual cycles upon performance with a desire to manage these more effectively, particularly during competition. Female reproductive health expertise in the multi-disciplinary management of elite athletes is required.

Exploratory Study into the Classification Agreement between Self-Reported Age of Menarche and Calculated Maturity Offset in Adolescent Girls: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

“…Menarche leads to diverse hormonal changes and in turn changes in body composition including increased fat deposition [ 8 ] while also affecting the psychological and cognitive development of girls necessary for coping with adulthood [ 8 ]. Furthermore, the onset of the menstrual cycles has various negative influence on girls’ PA and sport participation before and during the menstrual cycle [ 9 ]. In this regard, Jones and co-workers reported that girls indicated negative cyclical symptoms affecting their PA and sport participation, such as bloating, lower-back- and pelvic pain, sleep disturbances, headaches and clumsiness before and during their menstrual cycles.…”

“…In this regard, Jones and co-workers reported that girls indicated negative cyclical symptoms affecting their PA and sport participation, such as bloating, lower-back- and pelvic pain, sleep disturbances, headaches and clumsiness before and during their menstrual cycles. The performance of more than 50% of power-, endurance- and throwing athletes were affected negatively during the menstrual cycle [ 9 ]. In this regard, differences in biological maturation before menarche, but also because of menarche, result in growth differences and more specifically weight-related changes that in turn will affect other aspects of life such as motor- and physical skill performance [ 10 , 11 ], which again can influence their PA levels in the future.…”