A Review of Differences in Athletic Performance and Training Adaptability Across the Female Menstrual Cycle

Authors

  • Jiaoni He
  • Ying Yi
  • Jiaqi Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6918/IJOSSER.202512_8(12).0029

Keywords:

Menstrual Cycle, Female, Athletic Performance, Training Adaptation, Sex Hormones

Abstract

The unique female menstrual cycle, accompanied by cyclical fluctuations in sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, exerts complex effects on athletic performance and training adaptations. This article systematically reviews relevant literature to summarize differences in athletic performance (e.g., strength, endurance, power) and training adaptability (e.g., muscle hypertrophy, metabolic regulation) across different phases of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase, luteal phase). It analyzes the regulatory mechanisms of hormonal fluctuations, proposes targeted training recommendations, and aims to provide references for optimizing training programs for female athletes and the general fitness population.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Fu, D. R., Liu, C. Y., & Sun, X. H. (2009). Effects of the menstrual cycle on material metabolism and hormonal changes in female athletes during endurance exercise. Journal of Physical Education, 16(1), 100-105.

[2] Han, X. K. (2016). *Changes in athletic performance of elite Chinese 1500-meter runner Liu Fang during different phases of the menstrual cycle* [Master's thesis]. Beijing Sport University.

[3] Qiu, H. (2023). Effects of resistance training at different phases of the menstrual cycle on female athletic performance: A systematic review. In Abstracts of the 13th National Sports Science Conference — Poster Exchange (Physical Training Branch) (I) (pp. 3, 286-288). Tianjin, China.

[4] Augustsson S R, Findhé-Malenica A. Women’s experiences and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on strength training performance – a conventional content analysis [M]. In Review, 2023.

[5] Blagrove R C, Bruinvels G, Pedlar C R. Variations in strength-related measures during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women: a systematic review and meta-analysis [J]. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2020, 23(12): 1220-1227.

[6] Julian R, Hecksteden A, Fullagar H H K, et al. The effects of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance in female soccer players [J]. PLOS One, 2017, 12(3): e0173951.

[7] Janse De Jonge X A K. Effects of the menstrual cycle on exercise performance: [J]. Sports Medicine, 2003, 33(11): 833-851.

[8] Guo, H. Y., Dong, X. H., & Zhang, J. H. (2005). Changes in hormonal levels and athletic performance in female athletes during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitation, (40), 188-190.

[9] Zheng, H. W., Lei, X. S., Lin, Z. X., et al. (2009). A study on muscle fitness and aerobic fitness of female college students during different menstrual phases. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 32(1), 74-77.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-11

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

He, J., Yi, Y., & Li, J. (2025). A Review of Differences in Athletic Performance and Training Adaptability Across the Female Menstrual Cycle. International Journal of Social Science and Education Research, 8(12), 203-207. https://doi.org/10.6918/IJOSSER.202512_8(12).0029