Inconsistencies in the perceived impact of the menstrual cycle on sport performance and in the prevalence of menstrual cycle symptoms: A scoping review of the literature

Chelsea Oester; Dean Norris; Dawn Scott; Charles Pedlar; Georgie Bruinvels; Ric Lovell

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2024.02.012

Inconsistencies in the perceived impact of the menstrual cycle on sport performance and in the prevalence of menstrual cycle symptoms: A scoping review of the literature

J Sci Med Sport. 2024 Mar 5:S1440-2440(24)00077-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.02.012. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chelsea Oester¹, Dean Norris², Dawn Scott³, Charles Pedlar⁴, Georgie Bruinvels⁵, Ric Lovell⁶

Affiliations

¹ Western Sydney University, School of Health Sciences, Australia. Electronic address: 22047111@student.westernsydney.edu.au.
² Western Sydney University, School of Health Sciences, Australia. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/DNorrisSC.
³ Washington Spirit, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/DawnScott06.
⁴ St Mary's University, Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Science, United Kingdom; National University of Ireland, Orreco Business Innovation Unit, Ireland; University College of London, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, United Kingdom. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/PedlarCR.
⁵ St Mary's University, Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Science, United Kingdom; National University of Ireland, Orreco Business Innovation Unit, Ireland; University College of London, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, United Kingdom. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/GBruinvels.
⁶ Western Sydney University, School of Health Sciences, Australia; University of Wollongong, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Australia. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/Ric_Lovell.

PMID: 38508888
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.02.012

Abstract

Objectives: This scoping review aimed to summarize the findings of studies regarding the perceived impact of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance, as well as the prevalence of negative menstrual cycle symptoms.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: Three databases were searched and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used as guidance.

Results: A total of 39 studies were included in the final analysis. Between 2.8 and 100 % of athletes reported their performance being negatively impacted by their menstrual cycle, and the main reason was the occurrence of menstrual cycle symptoms. Additionally, a large variability in the prevalence of menstrual cycle symptoms was reported in the different studies mainly due to methodological differences and recall biases.

Conclusions: Similarly, as to what has been reported in reviews summarizing performance outcomes during different menstrual cycle phases, this review highlights the high degree of variability between how athletes perceive to be impacted by their menstrual/hormonal contraceptive cycle.

Registration: The protocol of this scoping review was registered at the Open Science Framework on 14 September 2023 (osf.io/efu9x).

Keywords: Athletic performance; Hormonal contraception; Menstrual cycle; Psychology, sports; Women's health.

Publication types

Review