---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast female athletes run?
description: The study found no clear difference in running speed between the follicular and luteal phases. Running times slowed on menstruating days compared to non-menst
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-athletic-performance-in-ncaa-division-iii-2020/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast female athletes run?

Survey study, 2020

# Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast female athletes run?

The study found no clear difference in running speed between the follicular and luteal phases. Running times slowed on menstruating days compared to non-menstruating days for most athletes.

 Early or limited evidence

8 female college athletes in Pennsylvania, USA

## What they did

A study of 8 female college athletes. Researchers collected information about their menstrual cycles, menstrual symptoms, birth control use, and measured their race times during different phases of the cycle and on menstruating versus non-menstruating days.

## What they found

Athletic performance did not show clear differences when comparing the follicular phase and luteal phase of the cycle. However, most athletes had slower race times on days when they were menstruating compared to days when they were not menstruating.

## What it means for you

Your menstrual cycle may affect your athletic performance on menstruating days. Tracking your cycle could help your trainer plan your workouts and identify injury risks. This study only included 8 athletes from one college athletic program, so findings may not apply to all athletes.

8

Female athletes studied

## About the study

Original title Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Athletic Performance in NCAA Division III Collegiate Athletes Authors Amy J. Tremback-Ball, Kaitlin Fulton, Nicole Giampietro et al. Journal Journal of Womenʼs Health Physical Therapy Year 2020 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/jwh.0000000000000188](https://doi.org/10.1097/jwh.0000000000000188)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2023

How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?

Survey study, 2022

Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period?

Survey study, 2022

Do menstrual cycles and birth control affect female athletes' training and performance?

Survey study, 2025

What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does matching your running training to your menstrual cycle phase improve performance, recovery and wellbeing?

Case-control study, 2023

Does micronutrient intake differ between female athletes with and without PMS?

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