Menstrual cycles and the impact upon performance in elite British track and field athletes
A Longitudinal Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4616612 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Benjamin P Jones (0000-0002-0391-0443), Ariadne L''Heveder, Ariadne L'Heveder, Ariadne L’heveder (0000-0002-1642-3011), Charlotte Bishop (0000-0003-2231-4580), Lorraine Kasaven (0000-0002-1752-5220), Srdjan Saso (0000-0002-6310-032X), Sarah Davies (0000-0002-6185-1306), Robin Chakraverty, James Brown (0000-0002-1506-9719), Noel Pollock (0000-0003-4660-2835) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Pages | 1296189-1296189 |
| Publication date | 2024-02-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189 |
| PMID | 38445211 |
| OpenAlex | W4391967753 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 34 |
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
Athletes · Elite Athletes · Field hockey · Follicular phase · Football · Geography · Gynecology · Hormone · Luteal phase · Menarche · Menstrual cycle · Menstruation · Physical therapy · Track and field athletics · Exercise and Physiological Responses · Medicine · Physical Education and Training Studies · Sports injuries and prevention · Demography · Internal Medicine
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1.5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |