The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Psychological Changes and Their Influence on The Performance of Athletes

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze and compare the psychological changes during the four different phases of the menstrual cycle; Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulatory, and Luteal. Fifteen athletes were selected ages ranging between 18 to 25, who were involved in sports chosen with experience of 5-8 years. Their average age was 21,5± 2 years, and the selected athletes were (5 amateur tennis players, 5 amateur football players, and 5 amateur field hockey players). Reaction time and Determination time were measured in each phase and analyzed with the help of the Vienna test system (VTS allows digital psychological tests to be administered while also providing automatic and comprehensive scoring). The data in the study were analyzed by using Repeated Measure ANOVA and the level of significance was at p<0.05. The study results showed variations in Reaction time in the Follicular phase, Luteal phase, and Menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. For the athletes, the mean values of RT in the menstrual phase had a slower mean reaction time. While Determination time showed the mean value was higher in the Follicular phase. Results revealed that athletes have better reaction time in the Follicular phase and Ovulation phase when compared to the menstrual phase and luteal phase. Similarly, in the Determination time test athletes had better results in the follicular phase. The study concluded that variations in psychological parameters are observed during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.