Cycling Through the Menstrual Cycle

NCT06634134 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MenstrualCycling
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 750
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

With an increase in number of female athletes in sport events, it is becoming more important to gain insight in female related sports physiology. A main difference between male anf female athletes is the menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, female reproductive hormones fluctuate. These hormones are also of influence on endurance, recovery, muscle strenght and mental state. Therefore we hypothesize that training efficiancy, power and motivation to train differ during the menstrual cycle. In case there is a pattern seen during the menstrual cycle, training programs can be individualized taking the menstrual cycle into account leading to more effective training programs.

Conditions

Menstrual Cycle-based Periodized Training; Female Athlete Triad; Menstrual Cycle

Keywords

Menstrual Cycle; Artificial Intelligence; Cycling; Female Athlete Triad; Female Athletes; Menstrual Cycle-based Periodized training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Health of menstrual cycle in amateur cyclist

  It is known that the incidence of amenorrhea is about 15% of the professional female athletes. This has many short- and long term health consequences. These health consequences can be avoided since developing amenorrhea is preventable. It is unknown how many amateur cyclist have an irregular period or have amenorrhea. Insight in the size of this health problem creates a window of opportunity in preventive medicine.

  1 year

• Objective training parameters during the menstral cycle

  By collecting details in regards to the menstrual cycle in combination with objective parameters (heart rate, power, speed, endurance) of training it is possible to investigate whether these objective parameters are influenced by the hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

  2 years

• Subjective training parameters during the menstrual cycle

  By collecting details in regards to the menstrual cycle in combination with subjective parameters (fatigue, discomfort, readiness, motivation) of training it is possible to investigate whether these subjective parameters are influenced by the hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

  2 years

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Is menstrual cycle-based periodized training feasible in the future?

  2 years

• Does the menstrual cycle affect recovery?

  2 years

Other Outcomes (2)

• Questionnaires

  3 years

• Excercise testing

  3 years

Study Arms (1)

Female cyclist

All female cyclist that consent using the data collected by JOIN cycling app and also give permission tracking thier menstrual cycle. Natrual menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraceptive use Intra-uterine device use (hormonal vs non-hormonal)

Behavioral: Adjusting training advice

Interventions

Adjusting training advice BEHAVIORAL

Based on discomfort related to the menstrual cycle the female cyclist can choose to adjust the suggested training.

Female cyclist

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Female JOIN cycling app members that consent with tracking the menstrual cycle.

You may qualify if:

• JOIN cycling app member
• female cyclist
• informed consent period tracking in JOIN

You may not qualify if:

• none

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Martini Hospital Groningen: lead
• Antonius Ziekenhuis: collaborator
• Reinier de Graaf Groep: collaborator
• sportgeneeskunde Friesland: collaborator
• sport medisch centrum tilburg: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Martini Ziekenhuis

Groningen, 9728 NZ, Netherlands

NOT YET RECRUITING

Martini ziekenhuis

Groningen, 9728 NZ, Netherlands

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Female Athlete Triad Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Anne Marijn van der Graaf, MD/PhD

CONTACT

0031611474158; annemarijn.graaf@outlook.com

Margot Verleg

CONTACT

0031505246078; m.verleg@mzh.nl

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 15, 2024
• First Posted: October 9, 2024
• Study Start: October 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2028
• Last Updated: July 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

NL (2)