Offered Support and Knowledge about the Menstrual Cycle in the Athletic Community: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1086 Female Athletes.
Philip von Rosen, Linda Ekenros, Guro Strøm Solli...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36231231Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 35Years
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
ID05697263
The Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Physical Exercise and Performance
Led by Karolinska Institutet · Updated on 2025-09-04
111
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how the menstrual cycle affects exercise and physical performance in women. This study aims to understand whether adjusting training schedules based on menstrual cycle phases influences aerobic fitness and other health markers. The trial will also explore links to premenstrual symptoms, body composition, muscle characteristics, hormone receptors, metabolic enzymes, and muscle protein synthesis. The research follows strong guidelines to improve knowledge in sports and exercise science for female athletes. Female athletes aged 18 to 35 who exercise regularly will be assigned to one of three training groups for 12 weeks, covering three menstrual cycles. One group trains three times a week throughout the cycle, another trains five times a week during the follicular phase and once a week in the luteal phase, and the third group trains five times a week during the luteal phase and once a week in the follicular phase. The exercise consists of high-intensity intermittent spinning classes. Participants will have their aerobic fitness and power tested at the start and after the study period. Body composition will be measured using DXA scans, and blood samples will be collected regularly to check hormone levels and confirm menstrual phases. Daily self-reports of menstrual symptoms will be recorded. Some participants will also provide muscle biopsies at the beginning and end of the study. The study tracks changes in muscle strength, functional tests, metabolic markers, muscle morphology, hormone activity in muscle, muscle protein synthesis, and menstrual symptoms over about four months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Physical Exercise and Performance
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 35Years
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women exercising at a high level at least 3 to 4 times per week
- Regular menstrual cycle with 26 to 32 cycle days
- Fully healthy and able to follow the training program
- Female aged 18 to 35 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of hormonal contraceptives
- Use of regular medication
- Chronic disease
- Past or present neurological disorder
- Recent musculoskeletal injury
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - Approximately 4 months (4 menstrual cycles of around 28 days each)
Participants follow a training program based on their assigned menstrual cycle phase or regular training throughout the menstrual cycle.
Weekly visits for up to 16 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Angelica Lindén Hirschberg
Stockholm, Sweden, 17176
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
A
Angelica L Hirschberg, Med dr
C
Cecilia Fridén, Med dr
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
Perceived impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on physical exercise and performance in 1,086 athletes from 57 sports.
Linda Ekenros, Philip von Rosen, Guro Strøm Solli...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36111164Changes in premenstrual symptoms in women starting or discontinuing use of oral contraceptives.
Linda Ekenros, Torbjörn Bäckström, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30668208Young, talented and injured: Injury perceptions, experiences and consequences in adolescent elite athletes.
Philip Von Rosen, Anders Kottorp, Cecilia Fridén...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29504456Menstrual irregularity and use of oral contraceptives in female adolescent athletes in Swedish National Sports High Schools.
Philip von Rosen, Annette Heijne, Anna Frohm...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29168967Expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in human skeletal muscle during the menstrual cycle.
L Ekenros, Z Papoutsi, C Fridén...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27438889Oral contraceptives do not affect muscle strength and hop performance in active women.
Linda Ekenros, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Annette Heijne...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22948447Postural control in women with premenstrual symptoms during oral contraceptive treatment.
Linda Ekenros, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Torbjörn Bäckström...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21275922Altered postural control during the luteal phase in women with premenstrual symptoms.
Cecilia Fridén, Dan K Ramsey, Torbjorn Backstrom...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15985762Knee joint kinaesthesia and neuromuscular coordination during three phases of the menstrual cycle in moderately active women.
Cecilia Fridén, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Tönu Saartok...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15942744