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Effects of Menstrual Distress on Weekly Training Duration of Female Division III Athletes

Kourtnie Blankenship

Dr. Devon Serrano

Dr. Tom Bowman

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Context

Effect of the menstrual cycle on activity level
Use of new Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q)²,³

Newly developed and not used in athletics
Most research on menstrual cycle is purely based on blood draw and hormonal data⁴

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Purpose Statement

The purpose of the study was to use the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire to determine if the level of menstrual distress impacted the duration of total weekly sports participation for female athletes.

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Participants

21 female athletes at Sweet Briar College
Inclusion

Had at least one menstrual cycle within the last year
Must be 18 or older

Exclusion

No data presented of activity level

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Tools

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Procedures

Google form sent to all eligible participants.
Completion of consent form and MEDI-Q by the participants.
Data collected with a Google sheet connected to form.

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Independent Variables

MEDI-Q Total Score
MEDI-Q Menstrual Symptoms (MS)
MEDI-Q Menstrual Symptoms Distress (MSD)
MEDI-Q Menstrual Specificity Index (MESI)

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Dependent Variables

Total Weekly Training Duration

Recorded in minutes

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Statistical Analysis

Averages of each IV

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Statistical Analysis

Due to the small sample size, the model is not able to be generalized to the population (R²=.048, Adjusted R²=-.190)

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Statistical Analysis

There is not a statistically significant relationship between TWTD and TS (t₂₀=-4.26, P=.575), TWTD and MS (t₂₀=.124, P=.903), TWTD and MSD (t₂₀=.209, P=.837), but there is a statistically significant relationship between TWTD and MESI (t₂₀=.002, P=.999).

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Discussion

Although results are not able to be applied to the general population, results do align with other studies stating that time duration of physical activity is not often impacted by menstrual distress.
Other studies were conflicting, with some saying that strength and thus performance was impacted negatively, where others stating that there was no perception of change in performance over the course of the cycle.
There are limitations to this study due to the small sample size and the use of a questionnaire at only one menstrual cycle

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Discussion

Future studies should focus on the impact of menstrual distress on the level of performance during the menstrual phase when compared to other phases
It would be beneficial for studies to include physical data, participant perception and hormonal data

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Conclusion

Menstrual distress does not have an impact on the amount of athletic participation during the menstrual phase and more studies need to be conducted in order to determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance.

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REFERENCES