Publication:

Effect of menstrual phase-wise training versus conventional training on speed, agility, power and psychological well-being in female sprinters: a comparative study

Background The menstrual cycle phase is increasingly acknowledged as a determinant of female athletic performance; nevertheless, data for phase-tailored training of sprint-specific attributes is still scarce. This study examined the effects of a menstrual phase-wise training (MPWT) program versus conventional training (CT) on speed, agility, power, and psychological well-being in female sprinters.

Methods This comparative research randomly assigned 60 female sprinters (18-28 years) either MPWT (n=30) or CT (n=30) for six weeks. MPWT suggested phase-specific exercise-rest and breathing exercises during menstruation, strengthening during the follicular phase, resistance range-of-motion exercise during ovulation, and endurance running during the luteal phase; CT maintained normal sport-specific training. Measurements speed (30 m sprint test), agility (Edgren side-step test), power (vertical leap, jump height, Harman average and peak power) and psychological well-being (BBC subjective well-being scale) were examined pre- and post-intervention.

Results Groups were similar at baseline. After the intervention, MPWT provided considerably bigger gains than CT for lower-limb power (vertical jump/jump height, p=0.009; Harman average power, p=0.001; Harman peak power, p=0.001) with medium to large effect sizes. There were no significant differences between groups in speed or agility. There was a substantial drop in psychological well-being within the MPWT group (p=0.0001) and no significant difference was seen across groups (p=0.05).

Conclusions A six week menstrual phase-wise training program provided a selective benefit of power-specificity against conventional training in female sprinters. There were no improvements in speed or agility and an unsolved deficit in psychological well-being. Larger trials are needed before menstrual cycle-informed training may be suggested for everyday practice.