The effect of di̇fferent phases of the menstrual cycle on some performance parameters in female athletes

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different phases of the menstrual cycle (MC) on certain performance parameters in female athletes. The study included 12 female athletes aged between 18 and 25 who were actively engaged in sports. Tests were conducted during the menstrual, ovulation, and luteal phases of the MC, assessing balance, vertical jump, anaerobic power, flexibility, strength, agility, speed, and visual reaction (VR) and auditory reaction (AR) times. After each measurement, the Borg scale was used to evaluate perceived exertion (PE), and the visual analog scale (VAS) was utilized the day after to assess delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Statistically significant differences were found between phases in vertical jump (p=0.031), speed (p=0.036), strength (p=0.009), flexibility (p=0.000), and agility (p=0.027) (p<0.05). Significant differences were also observed in total visual reaction time (TVRT) (p=0.027) and mean visual reaction time (MVRT) (p=0.018) (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences in PE among phases were noted (p=0.012) (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in body weight (p=0.111), BMI (p=0.088), balance (p=0.825), vertical jump power (watts) (p=0.134), AR, and DOMS parameters (p>0.05). According to the study's findings, significant differences were found in vertical jump, speed, strength, flexibility, agility, TVRT, MVRT, and PE across the MC phases. In this context, it is believed that the variation in athletes' performance during specific phases may be attributed to perceived exertion, hormonal fluctuations, various physiological responses, and mood changes. Notably, an increase in strength performance was observed during the ovulation phase, while positive effects on vertical jump, 30 m sprint, flexibility, and agility performances were observed during the luteal phase. Conversely, menstruation was found to have negative effects on all performance parameters assessed in the study.