Influence of Menstrual Cycle on Maximal Aerobic Power of Young Female Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the exercise response to various stages of the menstrual cycle in young female African adults. Fifteen volunteer, sedentary young female adults with a regular 28-day menstrual cycle and no history of premenstrual syndrome or abnormality participated in this study. A repeated measure and three counter balanced cross over order design was used in data collection. The subjects engaged in a 20-metre shuttle run test (20-MST) at the 3rd (early follicular phase), 14th (ovulation) and 26th (late luteal phase) days of their menstrual 2 cycle. Maximal aerobic endurance performance indexes (VO₂ max, run time & number of exercise laps) were recorded. One way ANOVA with repeated measures was used in data analysis. 2 The result revealed no significant differences in the short maximum endurance performance (VO₂ max) [F=.554, p=0.581], run laps [F=.483, p=0.622], and run time [F=.554, p=0.581]) recorded in the various phases of the menstrual cycle at p<0.05. It was concluded that exercise performance is not affected by menstrual cycle.

Keywords: exercise, menstrual cycle, females; aerobic power