Pearson Madison A, Weakley Jonathon J S, McKay Alannah K A, Russell Suzanna, Leota Josh, Johnston Rich D, Minahan Clare, Harris Rachel, Burke Louise M, Halson Shona L
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Sport Performance Recovery Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia.
Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Oct;25(10):e70038. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70038.
This study investigated the associations between ovarian hormones, symptoms, sleep characteristics and nocturnal physiology in female athletes. Twenty-four National Rugby League Indigenous Women's Academy athletes (naturally cycling: n = 11 and mean age: 21 ± 3 years; hormonal contraception: n = 13 and mean age: 22 ± 3 years) completed a 5-week training camp. During the camp, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were analysed at three timepoints according to naturally cycling and hormonal contraception groups. Symptoms and subjective sleep were measured daily. Athletes were instructed to wear an Oura ring throughout the camp for sleep and nocturnal heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) measures. Statistical analyses included linear mixed models and Pearson's correlations. Neither objective (Oura ring) nor subjective (survey) sleep characteristics were associated with oestradiol or progesterone concentrations. In the naturally cycling group, a higher number of total symptoms were associated with a longer sleep onset latency (r = 0.88, 95% CI [0.60, 0.97]) and increased light sleep (r = 0.75, 95% CI [0.28, 0.93]). Higher oestradiol concentrations were significantly associated with fewer symptoms (estimate ± SE: -0.007 ± 0.002 symptoms, p = 0.003). Luteal days were associated with higher average nocturnal HR and lower HRV than follicular menstrual cycle days (estimate ± SE: 4 ± 0.57 bpm, p < 0.001; estimate ± SE: -7 ± 2.13 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). Negligible to moderate correlations were observed between sleep and total symptoms experienced by athletes using hormonal contraception. In conclusion, sleep measures were not significantly associated with ovarian hormone concentrations. A higher number of total symptoms were associated with sleep disturbance in naturally cycling athletes. To optimise sleep, female athletes may benefit from monitoring and managing menstrual cycle symptoms.
本研究调查了女运动员卵巢激素、症状、睡眠特征与夜间生理之间的关联。24名国家橄榄球联盟原住民女子学院的运动员（自然周期组：n = 11，平均年龄：21±3岁；激素避孕组：n = 13，平均年龄：22±3岁）完成了为期5周的训练营。在训练营期间，根据自然周期组和激素避孕组，在三个时间点分析雌二醇和孕酮浓度。每天测量症状和主观睡眠情况。运动员在整个训练营期间被要求佩戴欧若拉戒指以测量睡眠、夜间心率（HR）和心率变异性（HRV）。统计分析包括线性混合模型和皮尔逊相关性分析。客观（欧若拉戒指）和主观（调查问卷）睡眠特征均与雌二醇或孕酮浓度无关。在自然周期组中，总症状数量较多与较长的入睡潜伏期相关（r = 0.88，95%可信区间[0.60，0.97]），且与浅睡眠增加相关（r = 0.75，95%可信区间[0.28，0.93]）。较高的雌二醇浓度与较少的症状显著相关（估计值±标准误：-0.007±0.002症状，p = 0.003）。黄体期与卵泡期相比，夜间平均心率较高，心率变异性较低（估计值±标准误：分别为4±0.57次/分钟，p < 0.001；-7±2.13毫秒，p < 0.001）。使用激素避孕的运动员的睡眠与总症状之间观察到可忽略至中等程度的相关性。总之，睡眠指标与卵巢激素浓度无显著关联。自然周期的运动员中，总症状数量较多与睡眠障碍相关。为了优化睡眠，女运动员可能会从监测和管理月经周期症状中受益。
