Adherence
Competitive-level resistance-trained athletes are significantly less likely to alter their training load or volume due to menstrual cycle symptoms compared to recreational athletes.
If you are a competitive strength athlete, you are statistically less likely to skip or reduce training due to menstrual symptoms than a recreational lifter. This is likely due to competitive drive. However, be aware that 69.5% of all participants still altered their programs, so monitor your fatigue and load to ensure you are not compromising long-term recovery or health.
Competitive-level athletes were significantly less likely to alter their training due to their MC (p = 0.008) with a small effect (effect size = 0.145) compared to recreational-level athletes.
Why this rating
Statistically significant finding in a large survey, but relies on self-reported behavioral changes.
Source
Menstrual cycle characteristics, hormonal contraceptive use and perceptions of related effects in resistance-trained athletes
Kimberly SantaBarbara et al. · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · 2024
DOI 10.1177/17479541241228986
More from this paper
- Hormonal contraceptive (HC) use is associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing menstrual cycle symptoms, specifically uterine cramps, in resistance-trained athletes.Moderate
- Menstrual cycle symptoms are widespread and severe in resistance-trained athletes, with 92% reporting symptoms and 76% reporting cramps, yet MC irregularities are not more common than in the general exercising population.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →