Menstrual Cycle and Women's Performance

NCT07462286 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: EK 008/2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines how different phases of the menstrual cycle are associated with selected performance and musculoskeletal parameters in physically active women aged 18-35 years. Participants will track their menstrual cycle using a mobile app for approximately 2 months and attend 3 laboratory visits scheduled to specific cycle phases. At each visit, participants will complete non-invasive assessments including lower-limb strength/performance testing, musculoskeletal measurements (muscle and tendon properties), body composition assessment, and symptom-related questionnaires. The goal is to improve understanding of physiological variability across the menstrual cycle and support evidence-based planning of training, testing, and clinical practice in women.

Conditions

Menstrual Cycle; Physical Performance; Muscle Strength; Musculoskeletal System; Healthy Volunteers

Keywords

menstrual cycle phase; follicular phase; luteal phase; female athletes; physically active women; neuromuscular performance; lower limb strength; muscle mechanical properties; tendon mechanical properties; body composition; symptom tracking; cycle tracking app; repeated measures; observational study; women's health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Phase-specific change in lower-limb neuromuscular performance across the menstrual cycle

  Within-subject differences in lower-limb performance/strength outcomes measured during three laboratory visits scheduled to predefined menstrual cycle phases.

  Assessed at 3 laboratory visits across approximately 2 months (cycle tracking period)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Phase-specific differences in muscle mechanical properties

  Assessed at 3 laboratory visits across approximately 2 months

• Phase-specific differences in tendon mechanical properties

  Assessed at 3 laboratory visits across approximately 2 months

• Phase-specific differences in body composition variables

  Assessed at 3 laboratory visits across approximately 2 months

• Menstrual-related symptom profile across menstrual cycle phases

  Collected during cycle tracking and at 3 laboratory visits across approximately 2 months

Study Arms (1)

Physically Active Women (18-35 years)

Women aged 18-35 years from the general population with occasional to recreational physical activity level. Participants undergo repeated non-invasive assessments across predefined menstrual cycle phases, including performance testing, musculoskeletal measurements, body composition assessment, and symptom tracking.

Other: Menstrual Cycle Tracking; Other: Performance and Strength Testing; Other: Musculoskeletal Assessment; Other: Body Composition and Symptom Assessment

Interventions

Menstrual Cycle Tracking OTHER

Menstrual cycle monitoring using a mobile application for approximately 2 months to schedule laboratory visits to predefined cycle phases.

Physically Active Women (18-35 years)

Performance and Strength Testing OTHER

Repeated lower-limb performance/strength assessments during laboratory visits in different menstrual cycle phases.

Physically Active Women (18-35 years)

Musculoskeletal Assessment OTHER

Non-invasive assessment of selected muscle and tendon mechanical properties across cycle phases.

Physically Active Women (18-35 years)

Body Composition and Symptom Assessment OTHER

Body composition measurement and collection of self-reported menstrual-related symptoms at laboratory visits.

Physically Active Women (18-35 years)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Premenopausal women aged 18-35 years from the general population with occasional to recreational physical activity, recruited for repeated within-subject assessments across predefined menstrual cycle phases.

You may qualify if:

• Female, age 18-35 years
• Premenopausal
• Occasional to recreational level of physical activity
• Willing and able to track menstrual cycle using a mobile application for approximately 2 months
• Willing and able to attend 3 laboratory visits scheduled to predefined menstrual cycle phases
• Able to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Irregular menstrual cycle (outside protocol-defined regularity)
• Current pregnancy
• Use of hormonal medication for therapeutic purposes (per protocol)
• Current acute illness at time of testing
• Musculoskeletal injury of the lower limb limiting safe performance testing
• Contraindication to body composition assessment methods used in the study (e.g., BIA/DXA, per site protocol)
• Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may interfere with safe participation or data quality

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Charles University, Czech Republic: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 269/31

Prague, Prague, 16252, Czechia

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Body Composition

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Biochemical Phenomena; Chemical Phenomena; Metabolism; Body Constitution; Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Vendula Soukupová, Mgr.

CONTACT

+420775976312; vendula.soukupova@ftvs.cuni.cz

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2026
• First Posted: March 10, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 30, 2027
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CZ (1)