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Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.

Louise Burnie Orcid Logo, Paul Ansdell Orcid Logo, Georgia Allen-Baker Orcid Logo, Elisa Pastorio, Kirsty M Hicks Orcid Logo, Neil Heron Orcid Logo, Natalie Brown

PLOS One, Volume: 21, Issue: 6, Start page: e0343892

Swansea University Author: Natalie Brown

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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pone.0343892

Abstract

The aim of this study was: (1) to understand female cyclist's experiences and perceptions of the menstrual cycle (MC) on training and competition performance, and (2) to explore female cyclist's comfort in having conversations relating to the MC with coaches and support staff. Twenty compe...

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Published in: PLOS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
Published: Public Library of Science (PLOS) 2026
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa72056
first_indexed 2026-06-11T10:12:50Z
last_indexed 2026-06-12T13:21:36Z
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spelling 2026-06-11T11:13:36.6013708 v2 72056 2026-06-11 Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance. 22c0647f05ef81cb0ce67977c5efdfe4 Natalie Brown Natalie Brown true false 2026-06-11 EAAS The aim of this study was: (1) to understand female cyclist's experiences and perceptions of the menstrual cycle (MC) on training and competition performance, and (2) to explore female cyclist's comfort in having conversations relating to the MC with coaches and support staff. Twenty competitive female cyclists (age 35.1 ± 7.7 yrs, cycling for 11.9 ± 7.4 yrs, 3 elite, 7 sub-elite and 10 club cyclists) were interviewed using an open-ended, semi-structured approach. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Female cyclists' experiences and perceptions of the MC on training and competition performance were wide ranging with participants reporting a range of MC symptoms that varied in severity and timing in the MC. 45% of the cyclists had experienced irregular MCs either currently or in the past with participants suggesting possible causes may be due to low body weight and insufficient energy intake to support training. 73% of the participants spoke to their coach about their MC, but typically this was limited to a note on their training programme that they started their period, or a brief mention of how they are feeling. Participants highlighted the positive influence of elite athletes talking about their MCs in terms of accepting the influence of MC on performance and improving openness of conversation. Most participants said they lacked knowledge about the MC and how to manage MC related symptoms. The findings highlight the need for improved education on the MC in sport for cyclists and coaches to improve performance and athlete health and wellbeing. Journal Article PLOS One 21 6 e0343892 Public Library of Science (PLOS) 1932-6203 2 6 2026 2026-06-02 10.1371/journal.pone.0343892 COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University Another institution paid the OA fee 2026-06-11T11:13:36.6013708 2026-06-11T11:07:12.1051005 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Louise Burnie 0000-0002-6426-6727 1 Paul Ansdell 0000-0001-7542-1107 2 Georgia Allen-Baker 0000-0003-0778-7558 3 Elisa Pastorio 4 Kirsty M Hicks 0000-0002-5057-9191 5 Neil Heron 0000-0002-4123-9806 6 Natalie Brown 7 72056__36924__2efe8f849dae4b4399937afc9350347d.pdf 72056.VOR.pdf 2026-06-11T11:11:58.1285334 Output 742344 application/pdf Version of Record true © 2026 Burnie et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
spellingShingle Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
Natalie Brown
title_short Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
title_full Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
title_fullStr Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
title_full_unstemmed Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
title_sort Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance.
author_id_str_mv 22c0647f05ef81cb0ce67977c5efdfe4
author_id_fullname_str_mv 22c0647f05ef81cb0ce67977c5efdfe4_***_Natalie Brown
author Natalie Brown
author2 Louise Burnie
Paul Ansdell
Georgia Allen-Baker
Elisa Pastorio
Kirsty M Hicks
Neil Heron
Natalie Brown
format Journal article
container_title PLOS One
container_volume 21
container_issue 6
container_start_page e0343892
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 1932-6203
doi_str_mv 10.1371/journal.pone.0343892
publisher Public Library of Science (PLOS)
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description The aim of this study was: (1) to understand female cyclist's experiences and perceptions of the menstrual cycle (MC) on training and competition performance, and (2) to explore female cyclist's comfort in having conversations relating to the MC with coaches and support staff. Twenty competitive female cyclists (age 35.1 ± 7.7 yrs, cycling for 11.9 ± 7.4 yrs, 3 elite, 7 sub-elite and 10 club cyclists) were interviewed using an open-ended, semi-structured approach. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Female cyclists' experiences and perceptions of the MC on training and competition performance were wide ranging with participants reporting a range of MC symptoms that varied in severity and timing in the MC. 45% of the cyclists had experienced irregular MCs either currently or in the past with participants suggesting possible causes may be due to low body weight and insufficient energy intake to support training. 73% of the participants spoke to their coach about their MC, but typically this was limited to a note on their training programme that they started their period, or a brief mention of how they are feeling. Participants highlighted the positive influence of elite athletes talking about their MCs in terms of accepting the influence of MC on performance and improving openness of conversation. Most participants said they lacked knowledge about the MC and how to manage MC related symptoms. The findings highlight the need for improved education on the MC in sport for cyclists and coaches to improve performance and athlete health and wellbeing.
published_date 2026-06-02T14:21:36Z
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score 11.10865

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