Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on the Performance of Different Physical Tests Specific to Handball

Abstract

Nowadays, several scientific studies focus women’s the menstrual cycle and its impact on sports performance. However, the results of these studies are controversial. In This regard, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the menstrual cycle on physiological responses, intermittent Yo-Yo test performance, repeated sprints and medicine-ball in elite women handball players. The sample of this study is 18.71 ± 0.72 years older female players. The following handball specific physical tests were performed: intermittent Yo-Yo test, repeated sprints and medicine-ball whose lactate concentration was also measured. Endurance capacity (VO2 max )  was lower in the luteal phase (p < 0.001). In contrast, medicine-ball performance, and repeated sprinting ability are better in the Follicular Phase (FP). The menstrual cycle affected performance on the Yo-Yo IET, exercise HRmax and muscle strength. Better performance is observed during the follicular phase.