An audit and quality assessment of the methods used to determine menstrual cycle phases in studies assessing athletic performance in elite female athletes

Sherwin, Glenn; Flood, Tess; Burden, Richard; Burke, Louise; Kuikman, Megan; McKay, Alannah; Smith, Ella; Elliott-Sale, Kirsty

An audit and quality assessment of the methods used to determine menstrual cycle phases in studies assessing athletic performance in elite female athletes

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Sherwin, Glenn, Flood, Tess, Burden, Richard, Burke, Louise, Kuikman, Megan, McKay, Alannah, Smith, Ella and Elliott-Sale, Kirsty (2025) An audit and quality assessment of the methods used to determine menstrual cycle phases in studies assessing athletic performance in elite female athletes. Journal of Sport Sciences, 44 (6). pp. 401-416. ISSN 0264-0414

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Abstract

Menstrual cycle (MC) phases may impact athletic performance due to the non-reproductive actions of 17-β-oestradiol and progesterone, which fluctuate across the MC. Research often includes recreational athletes, with findings generalised to elite athletes. To inform evidence-based practice and future research, the scope and quality of studies examining the relationship between athletic performance and MC phases in elite female athletes must be evaluated. This study audited these studies.
Eleven studies, involving 218 athletes, were included. Of these studies, 91% (n = 198) of athletes were categorised as tier 4 (elite/international level) and 9% (n = 20) as tier 5 (world class). The majority of studies (55%, n = 6) relied solely on calendar-based counting to delineate MC phases, while 45% (n = 5) incorporated calendar-based counting and biochemical methods. A methodological quality ranking system for MC phase determination revealed that one study achieved gold-tier status (9%); 18% achieved silver, 55% bronze, and 18% were ungraded. Research on the effects of MC phases on athletic performance in elite female athletes is of low methodological quality due to an overreliance on calendar-based counting without biochemical verification. Future research should verify MC phases to improve the research impact for elite female athletes.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1080/02640414.2025.2583013
Keywords:	Ovarian hormones, methodological quality, best practice, biochemical methods, athlete calibre
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Sports science Medicine and health
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2025
Dates:	Date Publication status 24 October 2025 Accepted 4 November 2025 Published Online
School, department or research centre:	School of Human and Social Sciences
Keywords:	Ovarian hormones, methodological quality, best practice, biochemical methods, athlete calibre
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14233
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

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An audit and quality assessment of the methods used to determine menstrual cycle phases in studies assessing athletic performance in elite female athletes

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