Analysis of the Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Aerobic-Anaerobic Capacity and Muscle Strength

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of menstrual cycle phases on aerobic-anaerobic capacity and muscle strength. 10 female kickboxing athletes with an average age of 21.40±2.01 years; average height of 169.60±6.14 cm; average weight of 63.90±5.76 kg and average training age of 7.41±2.10 participated in the study. On the first day, maximal strength (1RM), strength endurance, wingate anaerobic power and capacity test (WAnT) were conducted and aerobic measurements were taken the next day. The measurements were conducted in follicular phase on the days 2-3^rd of menstrual bleeding, in mid-follicular phase on 8-9^th days and in luteal phase on 22-23^th days. The data were analyzed with Friedman repeated measurements variance analysis. According to the results of the study, it was found that kickboxing athletes’ aerobic-anaerobic capacity, 1RM, strength endurance and heart rate (HR) were not affected by follicular phase, mid-follicular phase and luteal phase (p>0.005). As a conclusion, it can be said that menstrual cycle does not influence performance parameters such as muscle strength, muscle endurance and aerobic-anaerobic capacity.