Solli Guro S, Sandbakk Silvana B, Noordhof Dionne A, Ihalainen Johanna K, Sandbakk Øyvind
Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2020 Sep 21;15(9):1324-1333. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0616. Print 2020 Oct 1.
To investigate changes in self-reported physical fitness, performance, and side effects across the menstrual cycle (MC) phases among competitive endurance athletes and to describe their knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC.
The responses of 140 participants (older than 18 y) competing in biathlon or cross-country skiing at the (inter)national level were analyzed. Data were collected via an online questionnaire addressing participants' competitive level, training volume, MC history, physical fitness, and performance during the MC, MC-related side effects, and knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC and its effects on training and performance.
About 50% and 71% of participants reported improved and reduced fitness, respectively, during specific MC phases, while 42% and 49% reported improved and reduced performance, respectively. Most athletes reported their worst fitness (47%) and performance (30%) and the highest number of side effects during bleeding (P < .01; compared with all other phases). The phase following bleeding was considered the best phase for perceived fitness (24%, P < .01) and performance (18%, P < .01). Only 8% of participants reported having sufficient knowledge about the MC in relation to training, and 27% of participants communicated about it with their coach.
A high proportion of athletes perceived distinct changes in fitness, performance, and side effects across the MC phases, with their worst perceived fitness and performance during the bleeding phase. Because most athletes indicate a lack of knowledge about the MC's effect on training and performance and few communicate with coaches on the topic, the authors recommend that more time be devoted to educating athletes and coaches.
调查竞技耐力运动员在月经周期（MC）各阶段自我报告的体能、运动表现及副作用的变化，并描述他们对月经周期的了解程度以及与教练之间关于月经周期的沟通情况。
分析了140名年龄超过18岁、参加（国际）级冬季两项或越野滑雪比赛的参与者的回复。通过在线问卷收集数据，内容涉及参与者的竞技水平、训练量、月经周期史、月经周期期间的体能和运动表现、与月经周期相关的副作用，以及与教练关于月经周期及其对训练和运动表现影响的了解和沟通情况。
分别约有50%和71%的参与者报告在月经周期的特定阶段体能有所改善和下降，而分别有42%和49%的参与者报告运动表现有所改善和下降。大多数运动员报告在出血期间体能最差（47%）、运动表现最差（30%）且副作用最多（P <.01；与所有其他阶段相比）。出血后的阶段被认为是体能（24%，P <.01）和运动表现（18%，P <.01）感觉最佳的阶段。只有8%的参与者报告对月经周期与训练相关的知识有充分了解，27%的参与者与教练就此进行过沟通。
很大一部分运动员认为在月经周期各阶段体能、运动表现和副作用有明显变化，在出血阶段感觉体能和运动表现最差。由于大多数运动员表示对月经周期对训练和运动表现的影响缺乏了解，且很少与教练就该话题进行沟通，作者建议应投入更多时间对运动员和教练进行教育。
