--- title: Do premenstrual symptoms affect athletic performance? | Niyora description: Yes, women with premenstrual symptoms showed higher stress and anxiety, and athletic performance was best during ovulation. However, this is a small feasibili url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-and-sport-performance-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do premenstrual symptoms affect athletic performance? Survey study, 2026 # Do premenstrual symptoms affect athletic performance? Yes, women with premenstrual symptoms showed higher stress and anxiety, and athletic performance was best during ovulation. However, this is a small feasibility study with only 18 women who had actual performance testing. Early or limited evidence 47 recreational and competitive athletes regularly menstruating (18 with performance testing) ## What they did Feasibility study of 47 regularly menstruating recreational and competitive athletes. All 47 completed questionnaires about PMS symptoms, stress, anxiety, and competitive anxiety. A smaller group of 18 had repeated measurements of recovery-strain status and standing long jump performance across three menstrual cycle phases. ## What they found Premenstrual symptoms significantly correlated with higher stress, anxiety, and competitive anxiety. Recovery, strain, and jump performance varied significantly across the cycle, with better recovery and performance during the ovulatory phase. Premenstrual symptoms moderated changes in strain. No significant differences based on competitive versus recreational participation. ## What it means for you Menstrual cycle affects athletic performance and psychology, with best performance during ovulation. This is a small feasibility study, not definitive proof. Only 18 of 47 athletes had actual performance testing, and the study cannot determine if symptoms directly caused the performance changes. 47 athletes total 18 with performance testing 3 menstrual cycle phases measured ## About the study Original title Premenstrual Symptoms and Sport Performance Authors Amanda Pauline Marschk, Jana Strahler Journal Journal of Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 18 What was tested None (observational study tracking performance across cycle phases) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1026/2941-7597/a000072](https://doi.org/10.1026/2941-7597/a000072) Original abstract Abstract: Premenstrual symptoms and menstrual cycle-related changes have received limited attention in sport. This feasibility-oriented proof-of-concept (PoC) study examined the influence of premenstrual symptoms on psychological variables and athletic performance and evaluated the feasibility and acceptance of the study procedures. The study further aimed to identify initial theory-driven indications. A total of 47 regularly menstruating recreational and competitive athletes completed questionnaires assessing premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety, and competitive anxiety. A subsample ( n = 18) additionally provided repeated measures of recovery–strain status and standing long jump performance across three menstrual cycle phases. Premenstrual symptoms correlated significantly with higher perceived stress, anxiety, and competitive anxiety (dimension worry). Recovery, strain, and jump performance varied significantly across the menstrual cycle, with greater recovery and performance in the ovulatory phase. Premenstrual symptoms moderated changes in strain. No significant differences emerged based on competitive participation. These findings highlight the relevance of menstrual cycle dynamics for psychological and physical functioning in sport and support a larger confirmatory study. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[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 Randomised trial, 2023 Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms? Case-control study, 2019 Does inflammation affect mood in women with PMS? 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