Survey study, 2021
How common is PMS among female athletes and what causes it?
14.5% of elite female athletes met PMS criteria and reported high rates of fatigue, anger, and muscle pain. The study found no clear links to training intensity, body weight, diet, or other factors investigated.
What they did
A survey of 124 elite female athletes at a national training center asked about PMS symptoms and measured training time, body weight, age, menstrual regularity, alcohol use, coffee intake, and diet history.
What they found
Of the 124 athletes, 18 (14.5%) met the criteria for PMS. All 18 reported fatigue or low energy (100%), 14 reported anger or irritability (77.8%), and 10 reported joint or muscle pain (55.6%). There were no clear differences between athletes with and without PMS in training time, body weight, age at first period, menstrual regularity, alcohol use, coffee use, diet, or stress fractures.
What it means for you
PMS is less common in elite female athletes than in the general population, but affects their performance when present. Few of these athletes sought medical help. The study did not identify clear causes, so more research is needed. Results only apply to elite athletes, not all women.
14.5%
met PMS criteria
100%
had fatigue or low energy
77.8%
had anger or irritability
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome in Korean Female National Athletes and Associated Risk Factors
- Authors
- Tae Im Yi, Moonjung Bae
- Journal
- The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 124
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2021.39.1.10
Topics
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