14/11/2025
▪️Article of the Week: Female Athletes and the Menstrual Cycle in Team Sports ▪️
Testing Considerations for Future Research:
1. Type of test: maximal isometric strength testing at strongest position of movement (e.g., isometric mid-thigh pull using force plates), a countermovement explosive test (i.e., countermovement jump using force plates), maximal speed testing up to 30 m (i.e., 30 m linear speed test using laser timing gates), and maximal aerobic testing between 3 and 10 min (i.e., 1.2 km time trial).
2. Frequency: 2–3 times per week, with at least 48 h between tests for the minimum of one full menstrual cycle*
3. Menstrual cycle phases: ideally five menstrual cycle phases should be assessed (menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase, and pre-menstruation).
4. Length of data collection: One full menstrual cycle if the minimum two months of consistent menstrual cycle data has been recorded prior to testing and menstrual cycle hormones are within regular values, assessed via blood sampling. *If less than two months of consistent menstrual cycle data has been recorded or for athletes with irregular menstrual cycles, then undertake testing for a minimum of two full menstrual cycles.
5. Highly fatiguing physical performance tests may impose on other aspects of training, thus require longer time periods of collection for accurate data analysis.
