The Real Science of Sport Podcast Hormones, Hype & High Performance: The Menstrual Cycle in Sport
Jul 21, 2025
Kelly McNulty, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in female physiology, and Sarah Massey, managing director for the Women's Rugby World Cup, discuss the menstrual cycle's complex impact on athletic performance. They tackle the relationship between hormones and training, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches rather than general theories like cycle syncing. The conversation also highlights the importance of menstrual health education and supportive environments for female athletes, aiming to empower young women in sports and promote inclusivity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Female Research Underrepresentation
- Female athletes are underrepresented in sports science research, with only six percent of studies exclusively on females.
- Most guidelines are based on male data and don't fully apply to women due to unique physiological factors like the menstrual cycle.
Menstrual Cycle Basic Science
- The menstrual cycle involves fluctuating hormones estrogen and progesterone across phases.
- Ovulation is the key event occurring about two weeks before menstruation, causing hormonal shifts impacting various body systems.
Performance Varies Minimally Across Cycle
- Exercise performance shows only trivial reductions during the early follicular phase when hormones are low.
- Highly individual variability and low-quality studies mean no universal performance guidelines can be made yet.