Oxygen, Hormones, and Performance: A Case Study of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Athletic Physiology
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Experimental Approach to the Problem
2.2. Subjects
2.3. Variables
2.4. Procedure
2.5. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Verification of the Menstrual Cycle
3.2. Body Composition
3.3. Lower Body Power Production
3.4. Muscle Oxygen Saturation
3.4.1. Post-Exercise Muscle Oxygen Saturation Recovery
3.4.2. Dynamic Behaviour of Muscle Oxygen Saturation
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
6. Practical Applications
- The observed relationship between improvements in anaerobic peak power and increased oestrogen levels in the blood suggests that intensive anaerobic power training should be prioritised during the ovulatory phase to maximise performance.
- Within the athlete’s menstrual cycle, maximal strength training is recommended during the preovulatory phase as this period is characterised by a significant rise in oestrogen levels, which may enhance strength adaptations.
- The development of new methodologies for menstrual cycle assessment should be encouraged, aiming to enhance specificity in female athlete evaluations and facilitate the individualisation of training programmes.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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TLM 1 | TFM 2 | DLLM 3 | NDLLM 4 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kg | % | kg | % | kg | % | kg | % |
39.5 | 73.97 | 11.80 | 22.10 | 6.80 | 17.20 | 6.60 | 16.70 |
E2 1 | FSH 2 | LH 3 | P4 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
pg/mL | pg/mL | mUl/mL | ng/mL | |
Pre-test | 127.0 | 4.5 | 18.7 | 6.15 |
Post-test | 376.0 | 1.7 | 10.0 | 19.90 |
Weight | TLM 1 | TFM 2 | DLMM 3 | NDLMM 4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kg | kg | kg | kg | % | kg | % | |
Menstruation | 53.4 | 39.5 | 11.80 | 6.80 | 17.20 | 6.60 | 16.70 |
Follicular phase | 53.4 | 40.4 | 10.80 | 6.80 | 16.80 | 6.70 | 16.60 |
Ovulation phase | 53.3 | 40.4 | 10.70 | 6.90 | 17.10 | 6.70 | 16.60 |
Luteal phase | 53.4 | 38.8 | 11.90 | 6.80 | 16.80 | 6.70 | 16.60 |
Menstruation | F.P. 1 | O.P. 2 | L.P. 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dominant Leg | 9 | 5 | 14 | 19 |
Non-dominant Leg | 8 | 4 | 13 | 19 |
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Martínez-Sánchez, A.; Campos-Redondo, A.; Ibáñez, S.J.; García-Rubio, J. Oxygen, Hormones, and Performance: A Case Study of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Athletic Physiology. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 3749. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073749
Martínez-Sánchez A, Campos-Redondo A, Ibáñez SJ, García-Rubio J. Oxygen, Hormones, and Performance: A Case Study of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Athletic Physiology. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(7):3749. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073749
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartínez-Sánchez, Almudena, Amalia Campos-Redondo, Sergio J. Ibáñez, and Javier García-Rubio. 2025. "Oxygen, Hormones, and Performance: A Case Study of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Athletic Physiology" Applied Sciences 15, no. 7: 3749. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073749
APA StyleMartínez-Sánchez, A., Campos-Redondo, A., Ibáñez, S. J., & García-Rubio, J. (2025). Oxygen, Hormones, and Performance: A Case Study of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Athletic Physiology. Applied Sciences, 15(7), 3749. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073749