Cross sectional analysis of muscular strength and flexibility during the menstrual cycle in women engaged in strength training
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v55.104259Keywords:
Hormonal fluctuations, Women's fitness, Exercise performance, Strength Training, FlexibilityAbstract
Hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle (MC) impact muscular strength and flexibility in women practicing strength training, potentially leading to performance reductions and increased injury susceptibility. Understanding these variations across MC phases is crucial for precise training program guidance. This cross-sectional, exploratory study assessed muscular strength and flexibility levels during the MC in 20 women (aged 20-35) engaged in strength training for at least 6 months. The Sit and Reach Test (SRT) measured flexibility, and the 1-Maximum Repetition Test (1RM) leg extension evaluated muscular strength during menstrual, post-menstrual, and pre-menstrual phases. While the post-menstrual period showed the highest strength values (50.65 ± 17.70 kg), no significant differences were observed compared to other phases. However, flexibility was significantly higher in the post-menstrual period (29.43 ± 8.69 cm) compared to menstrual (p=0.002) and pre-menstrual phases (p=0.001). Statistically, no significant differences were found in strength performance. Nevertheless, flexibility appeared influenced by MC phases, with superior outcomes in the post-menstrual period. This research enhances our understanding of how MC phases may impact strength and flexibility in women engaged in strength training, providing valuable insights for tailoring training programs to individual needs.
Keywords: Hormonal fluctuations, Women's fitness, Exercise performance, Strength Training, Flexibility.
References
Ansdell, P., Thomas, K., Hicks, K.M., Hunter, S.K., Howatson, G., & Goodall, S. (2020). Physiological sex differences affect the integrative response to exercise: acute and chronic implications. Exp. Physiol., 105(1), 2007–2021. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP088548
Barlow, A., Blodgett, J.M., Williams, S., Pedlar, C.R., & Bruinvels, G. (2023). Injury incidence, severity, and type across the menstrual cycle in elite female professional footballers: A prospective three-season cohort study. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.12.23292497
Blagrove, R.C., Bruinvels, G., & Pedlar, C.R. (2020). Variations in strength-related measures during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Sci. Med. Sport, 23(12), 1220-1227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.04.022
Ergin, E., & Kartal, A. (2020). Menstrual cycle and sporting performance perceptions of elite volleyball players. Int J Appl Exerc Physiol, 9(10), 57-64.
Fleck, S.J., & Kraemer, W.J. (2017). Fundamentos do treinamento de força muscular. Artmed Editora.
Ghangrekar, M.V., Chotai, K., Rayjade, A., & Patil, S. (2020). Prevalence of Generalised Joint Laxity During Various Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Physically Active Women. Indian J Public Health Res Dev, 11(5), 05235. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i5.9325
Grgic, J., Lazinica, B., Schoenfeld, B.J., & Pedisic, Z. (2020). Test–Retest Reliability of the One-Repetition Maximum (1RM) Strength Assessment: a Systematic Review. Sports Med, 6(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00260-z
Irawan, S. D., Husna, A. K., Fathoni, N., & Rahim, A. F. (2023). Exercícios para rigidez dos isquiotibiais. Medicina KnE, 3(3), 114–119. https://doi.org/10.18502/kme.v3i3.13493
Kissow, J., Jacobsen, K.J., Gunnarsson, T.P., Jessen, S., & Hostrup, M. (2022). Effects of Follicular and Luteal Phase-Based Menstrual Cycle Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Mass. Sports Med., 52(1), 2813-2819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01679-y
Michalski, T., Michalik, P., Dąbrowska-Galas, M., Król, T., & Rutkowska, M. (2020). Effect of the menstrual cycle on muscle strength in young women. Polish Ann Med, 27(1), 39-44. https://doi.org/10.29089/2019.19.00092
Miyazaki, M., & Maeda, S. (2022). Changes in hamstring flexibility and muscle strength during the menstrual cycle in healthy young females. J. Phys. Ther. Sci., 34(2), 92-98. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.34.92
Muñoz, C.D., Vecino, J.C.., Bataller, A.G., & Más, J.R.L. (2024). Valoración perceptiva del rendimiento físico y psicológico en función del tipo de entrenamiento reali-zado y las fases del ciclo menstrual en mujeres deportistas (Perceptual assessment of physical and psychological performance depending on the type of training performed and the phases of the menstrual cycle in female athletes). Retos, 51, 864–871. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v51.101374
Pournasiri, F., Zarei, M., Mainer-Pardos, E., Rubio-Morales, A., & Nobari, H. (2023). Isometric and isokinetic strength of lower-limb muscles in female athletes during different phases of the menstrual cycle: a causal-comparative study. Res Article, 23(1), 657. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02819-w
Rodrigues, P., Correia, M.A., & Wharton, L. (2019). Effect of menstrual cycle on muscle strength. J Exerc Physiol Online, 22(5), 89-96.
Schoenfeld, B.J., Androulakis-Korakakis, P., Piñero, A., Burke, R., Coleman, M., Mohan, A.E., et al. (2023). Alterations in Measures of Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, Hormonal Levels, Physiological Adaptations, and Psychometric Outcomes during Preparation for Physique Competition: A Systematic Review of Case Studies. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol., 8(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020059
Szajnowska, M., Stróż, J., Bula, A., Głowacki, B., Rudek-Zeprzałka, M., & Opala-Berdzik, A. (2022). The influence of menstrual cycle phases on trunk flexion mobility assessed with the finger floor distance test: a preliminary study. Med Sci Pulse, 16(3), 71-76. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.9964
Thomas, J.R., Nelson, J.K., & Silverman, S.J. (2009). Métodos de pesquisa em atividade física. Artmed Editora.
Vidmar, M.F., Baroni, B.M., Michelin, A.F., Mezzomo, M., Lugokenski, R., Pimentel, G.L., et al. (2020). Isokinetic eccentric training is more effective than constant load eccentric training for quadriceps rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther, 24(5), 424-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2019.07.003
Weineck, J. (2000). Biologia do Esporte. Ed. Manole, São Paulo.
Wells, K.F., & Dillon, E.K. (1952). The sit and reach—a test of back and leg flexibility. Res Q., 23(1), 115-118.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Retos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
