Study, 2024
Does how women feel when exercising change across the menstrual cycle?
Yes, clearly. Women experience worse pain, water retention, nausea, and dizziness before high-intensity exercise during menstruation versus other phases. They have lower motivation during menstruation and the luteal phase. However, exercise improves mood and motivation regardless of phase.
What they did
Twenty-three healthy, physically active young women each completed high-intensity interval training on an exercise bike during three different menstrual cycle phases (menstrual, follicular, and luteal), in random order. Researchers measured pain, water retention, mood, motivation, enjoyment, arousal, and menstrual distress before, during, and after each session.
What they found
Before exercise during the menstrual phase compared to the follicular phase, women reported higher pain, water retention, behavior changes related to eating and social interactions, and physical reactions including nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, and cold sweats. Women had worse emotional responses to exercise during the menstrual phase, followed by the luteal phase. Motivation to start exercise was lower during the luteal and menstrual phases compared with the follicular phase. After exercise, motivation improved and depression decreased compared to before exercise, regardless of menstrual phase.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle clearly affects how women experience intense exercise, especially during menstruation when symptoms are worse. Exercise improves mood and motivation regardless of cycle phase. The study only included young, physically active women, so results might not apply to women with depression or different fitness levels.
Twenty-three
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Psychophysiological Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training Exercise over Menstrual Cycle Phases: An Exploratory Study
- Authors
- Chavan M, Prado RCR, Ashley CD et al.
- Journal
- Medicine and science in sports and exercise
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- High-intensity interval training exercise
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000003426
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2013
Does yoga reduce PMS symptoms and physical stress markers?
Survey study, 2024
Does musculoskeletal pain affect quality of life and mood in women with PMS?
Study, 2021
Does the point in the menstrual cycle change mood, anxiety and exercise performance in active women?
Survey study, 2020
Can teaching about yoga techniques improve girls' knowledge about managing PMS?
Survey study, 1997
Does exercise reduce mood problems during the menstrual cycle?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?