AUTHOR=Jones Benjamin P. , L'Heveder Ariadne , Bishop Charlotte , Kasaven Lorraine , Saso Srdjan , Davies Sarah , Chakraverty Robin , Brown James , Pollock Noel 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>To assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and the perceived effect of menstrual cycles upon performance in elite athletes.</p></sec><sec><title>Methodology</title><p>A 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).</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>128 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 (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Two-thirds (66%; <italic>n</italic> = 82) reported consistently regular cycles, 30% (<italic>n</italic> = 37) irregular at some point during the period of observation and 4% (<italic>n</italic> = 5) were amenorrhoeic. 87 athletes (68%) reported dysmenorrhoea and 40 (31%) menorrhagia. More than three quarters (76.8%; <italic>n</italic> = 96) described their cycle negatively affected performance. Amongst those who reported when the negative impact occurred (<italic>n</italic> = 91), 40% (<italic>n </italic>= 36) reported this in the late luteal phase and 35% (<italic>n</italic> = 32) during the early follicular phase. 79% (<italic>n</italic> = 100) of athletes reported at least one cyclical symptom, of which bloating, lower back and pelvic pain were most frequently experienced.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>This 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.</p></sec>