Imperial College London
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Mr SRDJAN SASO

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction

Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)7890 795 182srdjan.saso01

 
 
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Location

 

Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyHammersmith Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Jones:2024:10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189,
author = {Jones, B and L'Heveder, A and Bishop, C and Kasaven, L and Saso, S and Davies, S and Chakraverty, R and Brown, J and Pollock, N},
doi = {10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189},
journal = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living},
pages = {1--8},
title = {Menstrual cycles and the impact upon performance in elite British track and field athletes: a longitudinal study},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189},
volume = {6},
year = {2024}
}
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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Objective: To assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and the perceivedeffect of menstrual cycles upon performance in elite athletes.Methodology: A longitudinal survey in the form of a questionnaire was sent tofemale track and field athletes at British Athletics every 6 months, over afive-year period between 1st October 2014 and 1st October 2019 in theUnited Kingdom (UK).Results: 128 athletes completed an average of 4.2 ± 2.9 questionnaires acrossthe study period. The mean age of menarche was 14.2 ± 1.4 years, 13.4 ± 1.3years and 12.8 ± 1.4 years in endurance, power, and thrower athletesrespectively (p < 0.05). Two-thirds (66%; n = 82) reported consistently regularcycles, 30% (n = 37) irregular at some point during the period of observationand 4% (n = 5) were amenorrhoeic. 87 athletes (68%) reported dysmenorrhoeaand 40 (31%) menorrhagia. More than three quarters (76.8%; n = 96) describedtheir cycle negatively affected performance. Amongst those who reportedwhen the negative impact occurred (n = 91), 40% (n = 36) reported this inthe late luteal phase and 35% (n = 32) during the early follicular phase. 79%(n = 100) of athletes reported at least one cyclical symptom, of which bloating,lower back and pelvic pain were most frequently experienced.Conclusion: This data highlights the complex interrelationship between women’shealth and elite athletic performance. Athletes perceive a negative impact fromtheir menstrual cycles upon performance with a desire to manage these moreeffectively, particularly during competition. Female reproductive healthexpertise in the multi-disciplinary management of elite athletes is required.
AU  - Jones,B
AU  - L'Heveder,A
AU  - Bishop,C
AU  - Kasaven,L
AU  - Saso,S
AU  - Davies,S
AU  - Chakraverty,R
AU  - Brown,J
AU  - Pollock,N
DO  - 10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189
EP  - 8
PY  - 2024///
SN  - 2624-9367
SP  - 1
TI  - Menstrual cycles and the impact upon performance in elite British track and field athletes: a longitudinal study
T2  - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1296189/full
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/109948
VL  - 6
ER  -
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