Survey study, 2023
Do PMS symptoms affect how female athletes train and perform?
Yes. Women with severe PMS were much more likely to change their training schedule. All women reported performance dropped during and before menstruation, with bigger drops in those with severe symptoms.
What they did
Researchers asked 234 nonelite female athletes about PMS severity using an online survey and tracked how their training and competitive performance changed around menstruation.
What they found
Among the 234 athletes, 78% had severe PMS. In the severe PMS group, 55% changed their training schedule during menstruation and 61% changed it before menstruation. All women reported that both training and competitive performance dropped during menstruation, with worse performance in the severe PMS group before menstruation.
What it means for you
Severe PMS can disrupt an athlete's training schedule. While all athletes reported performance drops related to menstruation, only those with severe symptoms were likely to change their training plans. We cannot tell from this study whether symptoms actually caused the performance drop or if other factors were involved.
234
Athletes surveyed
78%
With severe PMS
55%
Changed training during menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Impact of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms on Sport Routines in Nonelite Athlete Participants of Summer Olympic Sports
- Authors
- Prado RCR, Willett HN, Takito MY et al.
- Journal
- International journal of sports physiology and performance
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational survey.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0218
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2023
How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?
Survey study, 2024
Can period-related symptoms predict whether female cyclists manipulate their periods?
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, 2020
Do athletic students have less PMS and period pain than non-athletic students?
Survey study, 2019
What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls?