A substantial proportion of female athletes believe their performance is impacted by MC phase, but the research pertaining to objective measures of performance throughout the MC in eumenorrheic athletes does not provide a definitive indication of how performance may fluctuate throughout the MC. Many studies have concluded that performance does not vary between MC phases. In the studies that did observe a MC effect to performance, there were inconsistencies in findings but strength and aerobic performance were most commonly reported to be impaired during the late luteal phase, and anaerobic performance was most frequently reduced in the late follicular phase. With regards to perceived performance, the late luteal phase was also one of the phases athletes perceived their performance declined [75,76]. The research that finds the MC does have a mediating role in physical performance shows that MC phases affect strength, aerobic and anaerobic performance differently. If training is to be modified based on MC phase, the predominant performance variable being utilised and aims of training sessions must be carefully considered. In examining the literature, there are many questions related to the effect of MC phase on athletes that still need investigating, and in attempting to determine why performance may or may not fluctuate, it became evident there are also inconsistent findings on mechanistic outcomes, such as muscle and tendon stiffness or substrate metabolism, throughout the MC. Therefore, further research is needed to better the academic, athlete and applied sport science communities’ understanding of how the MC actually affects athletes’ performance and factors underpinning performance to inform decision-making and develop effective athlete management strategies to maximise performance and maintain health.

https://m.stacker.news/111662