This article looks at the effects of the menstrual cycle on rowing performance
What’s the deal?
Female athletes may feel that sporting performance might be altered during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Is there a difference in rowing performance pre- vs. post-ovulation in recreational or competitive athletes and what effect does the contraceptive pill have?
What did they do?
24 rowers underwent two rowing tests to exhaustion. One test was during the follicular phase (period and pre-ovulation) and the other was during the luteal phase (post-ovulation and pre-period). Heart rate, power output and VO2 max was recorded, alongside other performance-related measures.
What happened?
There were no differences at all in terms of heart rate, power output, VO2 max or other performance measures for athletes when they were in the follicular phase vs. the luteal phase. This was true for recreational athletes, as well as competitive athletes, and was also true for athletes taking the contraceptive pill, or not.
What can you tell me about the people?
Athletes were female, 18-21 years old on average and with healthy average BMI of 22. Their training loads varied from an average of 4.5 hours per week for recreational athletes up to 10 hours per week for competitive athletes.
What else should I know?
The rowing tests were performed roughly in the middle of the follicular phase and the luteal phase. Therefore, the follicular phase test was likely performed post-period.
Summary?
This might bring comfort to athletes worried about performance impairment due to phases of the menstrual cycle. It would be interesting to see data on perceived effort during these rowing tests though; did athletes find it harder during the follicular phase?
This research was published in June 2011 by S Vaiksaar and colleagues from the University of Tartu, Estonia.
This article highlights our personal take on their research. Check it out here and see what you think!
Abstract Athlete 