---
title: Does tailoring exercise to your menstrual cycle phases improve athletic performance?
description: No. Adapting exercise intensity to menstrual cycle phases did not improve fitness or reduce symptoms compared to regular training in this small study.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-a-training-intervention-tailored-to-the-menstrual-cycle-on-endurance-2024/
---

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- Does tailoring exercise to your menstrual cycle phases improve athletic performance?

Randomised trial, 2024

# Does tailoring exercise to your menstrual cycle phases improve athletic performance?

No. Adapting exercise intensity to menstrual cycle phases did not improve fitness or reduce symptoms compared to regular training in this small study.

 Early or limited evidence

14 moderately trained women, average age 24

## What they did

14 moderately trained women (average age 24) were randomly assigned to either standard training or training tailored to their menstrual cycle. Both groups followed a polarized training program for 8 weeks. The tailored group did higher-intensity work during the follicular phase. Researchers measured oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood pressure, and premenstrual symptoms before and after.

## What they found

No significant differences between groups in any measure. Oxygen uptake, heart rate thresholds, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and premenstrual symptoms were similar in both groups.

## What it means for you

Planning exercise specifically for menstrual cycle phases may not give extra benefit, but the study is too small to be sure. The authors note that the standard training group may have coincidentally matched the menstrual cycle anyway.

14

women in the study

8 weeks

training duration

0

significant differences between groups

## About the study

Original title Effects of a training intervention tailored to the menstrual cycle on endurance performance and hemodynamics Authors Kubica C, Ketelhut S, Querciagrossa D et al. Journal The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness Year 2024 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Training adapted to menstrual cycle phases (higher intensity during follicular phase) versus standard training Read the paper [doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.23.15277-7](https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.23.15277-7)

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