Keywords
menstrual cycle; menstrual cycle phase; aerobic performance; endurance athletes; VO2max
Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review is to examine existing literature regarding the menstrual cycle and its impact on aerobic performance in female athletes. This comprehensive review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 method of analysis. All studies included involved normally menstruating females conditioned in endurance sport. Studies analyzing anaerobic sports, abnormally menstruating females, or physically inactive females were excluded. The databases used included: PubMed, Sport Discus, and Web of Science. The results of these were imported into JBIsumari for deduplication, title and abstract, and full text screening. The results conclude objective performance variables are unchanged regarding the phase of the menstrual cycle. However, increased symptom severity has been seen to decrease performance, recovery, and impact athletes’ perception around training and competing. More research is needed including larger sample sizes across multiple cycles.
Thesis Completion Year
2026
Thesis Completion Semester
Summer
Thesis Chair
Thomas, Fisher
College
College of Health Professions and Sciences
Department
Kinesiology
Thesis Discipline
Kinesiology
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Loidolt, Jaymie G., "A Systematic Literature Review of the Menstrual Cycle and its Impact on Aerobic Performance in Female Athletes" (2026). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 666.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/666
Word version of pdf as requested fro HUT formatting
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