Cohort study, 1989
Are soccer injuries more common at certain times of the menstrual cycle?
Women soccer players had more traumatic injuries during the premenstrual and menstrual period compared to other times in their cycle, especially if they had symptoms like irritability, breast swelling, or abdominal swelling. Women using birth control pills had significantly fewer injuries.
What they did
86 women soccer players answered detailed questionnaires in 1984 about their contraceptive use, menstrual data, premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, and soccer injuries.
What they found
Women were more susceptible to traumatic injuries during the premenstrual and menstrual period compared to the rest of the cycle (P < 0.05). Women using contraceptive pills had a lower rate of traumatic injuries compared to non-users (P < 0.05). The increased injury risk was especially pronounced in players with premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, breast swelling, and abdominal swelling or congestion.
What it means for you
Birth control may reduce injury risk during menstruation by improving symptoms that affect coordination. The study is from 1989 and only includes soccer players, so findings may not apply to other women or sports.
86
women soccer players
P < 0.05
significance for injury increase during premenstrual and menstrual period
About the study
- Original title
- Women's soccer injuries in relation to the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use
- Authors
- Möller-Nielsen J, Hammar M
- Journal
- Medicine and science in sports and exercise
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 86
- What was tested
- Contraceptive pill use (observational comparison of users vs non-users)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1249/00005768-198904000-00003
Topics
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