Table 1.
Sample characteristics, menstrual cycle measurement and perceptual variable.
| Sample characteristic | Menstrual cycle measurement | Perceptual variable | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| References | Sport modality sample size/age | Control group | Previous cycle monitoring | Phases comparison | Cycle length (days) | Measurement | Variable | Tool |
| Carmichael et al. (2021b) | Elite football players n = 5/18–35 years | – | – | F/L | 28 ± 3 | Day control and LH urine test strip | Sleep, stress, soreness and fatigue; RPE | Wellness questionnaire; Borg CR-10 |
| Chaffin et al. (2011) | Competitive runners n = 9/26.8 ± 4.3 years | - | 3 months (Participant's documentation) | EF/ML | 30.6 ± 4.6 | Day control, estradiol and progesterone concentrations | Muscle soreness | DOMS rating scale |
| Cockerill et al. (1992) | Runners n = 13/29 years | Amenorrhoeic runners (n = 7); sedentary (n = 20) | – | PM/MC | – | Day control | Mood | POMS–TMD |
| Cook et al. (2018) | Elite athletes from different sports n = 6/21.0 ± 1.1 years | Non-elite athletes n = 16/21.1 ± 1.2 years | – | D7/D14/D21 (3 consecutive cycles) | 24–33 (28.7 ± 1.9) | Day control | Motivation to train Motivation to compete |
Likert scale 1–7 Likert scale 1–7 |
| Crewther and Cook (2018) | Elite athletes from different sports n = 9/20.7 ± 1.3 years | Non-elite athletes n = 21/21.0 ± 1.1 years | – | F/O/L (3 consecutive cycles) | Cycle 1: 27.9 ± 0.8 Cycle 2: 28.1 ± 1.42 Cycle 3: 29.3 ± 1.8 |
Day control | Competitiveness Motivation to train |
Likert scale 1–7 Likert scale 1–7 |
| Cristina-Souza et al. (2019) | Track and field athletes n = 12/16.5 ± 1.6 years | – | 2 months (Participant's documentation) | F/O/L | 29 ± 3 | Day control and hormonal analysis | RPE; MCS | Borg CR10; PMT-A, PMT-C, and PMT-D |
| De Souza et al. (1990) | Runners n = 8/29.0 ± 4.2 years | Amenorrhoeic runners n = 8/24.5 ± 5.7 years | 1 month (LH urine test to determine the ovulatory period) | EF/ML | 23–33 | LH urine test strip | RPE | Borg 6–20 scale |
| Graja et al. (2020) | Handball players n = 10/20–25 years | – | 6 months (menstruation diary) | F/L/PM | – | Day control, urine LH strip | Sleep, fatigue, stress, and soreness | Hooper index |
| Julian et al. (2017) | High-level soccer players n = 9/18.6 ± 3.8 years | – | 6 months (menstruation diary) | EF/ML | – | Day control and serum hormones | RPE | Borg 6–20 scale |
| Lara et al. (2020) | Well-trained triathletes n = 13/31 ± 6 years | Placebo vs. caffeine | 4 months (Mobile app Mycalendar) | EF/PO/ML | 27 ± 2 days (24–31 days) | Day control, LH urine test strip | Self-perceived endurance; Exertion | 1–10 scale; Borg 6–20 scale |
| Martínez-Cantó et al. (2018) | Physically active sport science students n = 5/20.33 ± 2.58 years | – | 3 months (Participant's documentation) | M/L | 31.20 ± 1.82 | Day control | RPE Sleep Mood |
Borg CR-10 KSD POMS |
| Miskec et al. (1997) | College club rugby players n = 10/21.9 ± 1.4 years | – | 2 months (Participant's documentation) | M/Non-M | – | Day control | RPE | Borg 6–20 scale |
| Rael et al. (2021) | Well-trained in endurance activities n = 21/30.5 ± 6.5 years | – | 6 months before the study—regular cycle | EF/LF/ML | 28 ± 2–31 ± 2 | Day control, urinary LH measurement and serum hormone analysis | RPE Perceived readiness |
Borg 6–20; PR Nurmekivi 1–5 scale |
| Sunderland and Nevill (2003) | Well-trained game players n = 7/20.3 ± 0.3 years | OC well-trained game players n = 8/20.2 ± 0.4 years | – | F/L | 24–30 | Day control | RPE | Borg 6–20 scale |
EF, Early follicular; PO, Preovulation; ML, Mid luteal; LF, Late follicular; PM, Premenstrual; MC, Midclyce; F, Follicular; L, Luteal; MF, Mid follicular; M, Menstrual phase; Non-M, Nonmenstruation; LH, Luteinizing hormone; D7, day 7; D14, day 14; D2, day 21; OC, Oral contraception; RPE, Rating perceived effort; DOMS, Delayed onset muscle soreness; TRIMP, Training impulse; PMT-A(anxiety, nervous tension, irritability, mood changes); PMT-C (craving for sweets, headache, fatigue, fainting spells, palpitations); PMT-D (depression, withdrawal, insomnia, forgetfulness, and confusion); POMS, Profile of mood state; KSD, Karolinska sleep diary; TMD, Total mood disturbance.