Bn. Davies et al., VARIATIONS IN PERFORMANCE IN SIMPLE MUSCLE TESTS AT DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE, Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 31(4), 1991, pp. 532-537
The effect of the menstrual cycle on the performance of women in sport
ing activities is a very confused subject. In this study, performances
in simple muscle tests-the handgrip and standing long jump, were stud
ied at three phases of the menstrual cycle-menstrual (day 1-4), follic
ular (day 12-14) and luteal (day 19-21). Within subject paired "t" tes
ting showed that in the handgrip test, performance was significantly s
uperior during the menstrual phase than those during both the follicul
ar and luteal phases. In the standing long jump test, performance was
again superior during the menstrual phase, although not significantly
with respect to the luteal phase. This finding is discussed in terms o
f the reported effects of the menstrual cycle on sporting performance,
the variation in the types of exercise, and the possible role of the
female sex hormones.