Effects of the menstrual phase on the performance and well-being of female young soccer players

Abstract

[EN] The aim of the study was to analyze variations in performance and subjective perception of well-being in youth soccer players between menstrual (FM), follicular (FF) and luteal (FL) phases. Twelve female soccer players participated (age, 16.18 ± 1.68 years; height, 164 ± 7.27 cm; body mass, 61.90 ± 6.37 kg), all with 4 years of competitive experience, and 3.1 ± 1 years with a regular menstrual cycle. The maximum speed in 40-m, ability to change direction (25-m with 5 changes of direction of 45º every 5 m), explosive strength of the lower limbs with dominant, non-dominant, bipodal leg and vertical jump height were evaluated using Squat Jump into each phase, along with the Hooper's subjective well-being questionnaire. No differences between menstrual phases were obtained in any performance outcome, sleep, fatigue, stress, or muscle pain (all p> 0.05). However, a lower (worse) general wellbeing (p <0.01) was noted during FM and FL compared to FF. Youth female soccer players well-being perception between menstrual phases provides relevant information to take into account by practitioners working with such athletes.

[ES] El objetivo del estudio fue analizar variaciones en rendimiento y percepción subjetiva del bienestar en jóvenes futbolistas entre fase menstrual (FM), folicular (FF) y lútea (FL). Participaron doce mujeres futbolistas (16.18 ± 1.68 años; 164 ± 7.27 cm; 61.90 ± 6.37 kg) con 4 años de experiencia competitiva y 3.1±1 años con ciclo menstrual regular. Se evaluó velocidad máxima en 40-m, habilidad de cambio de dirección (25-m con 5 cambios de dirección de 45º cada 5 m), fuerza explosiva del tren inferior con pierna dominante, no dominante, bipodal y altura de salto vertical mediante Squat Jump en cada fase, junto con el cuestionario de Hooper de bienestar subjetivo. No se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en ninguna variable de rendimiento ni de sueño, fatiga, stress y dolor muscular entre las fases del ciclo menstrual (p>0.05). Sí se obtuvo un estado de bienestar general significativamente peor (p<0.01) en FM y FL respecto a FF. Conocer la percepción subjetiva de bienestar puede ser una herramienta que aporte información relevante a los cuerpos técnicos de equipos femeninos.