In recent years, there's been a noticeable shift in how we approach female athletic performance, with increasing attention paid to the menstrual cycle and its impact on training outcomes. No longer a niche topic, this area of focus is now finding its way into mainstream guidance. For instance, this year’s London Marathon training plans include specific advice on how to adapt training according to different stages of the menstrual cycle.
In a previous blog, we explored how the menstrual cycle affects female athletic performance and what it means for athletes and coaches alike. You can read that article here: The Science of Success: Optimising Female Athletic Performance.
We’re excited to see momentum building around research in this area. FIFA, for example, has recently begun a year-long study at Kingston University into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women. Meanwhile, Loughborough University officially launched its new Women in Sport Hub in March 2025, which will serve as a dedicated centre for advancing research into women’s health and athletic performance.
A new study now provides evidence of how the menstrual cycle affects athletic performance. Using insights gathered from the Wild.AI app, researchers have found now further evidence of how different phases of the menstrual cycle can influence both wellbeing and performance in strength-trained women.
The study focused on women who were already experienced in resistance training; participants performed at least one main full-body lift (such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, or snatches) a minimum of twice per week throughout the duration of the study.
To assess performance and recovery across the menstrual cycle, researchers tracked several key metrics:
- sRPE (Session Rating of Perceived Exertion): a measure how difficult the session feels.
- PRS (Perceived Recovery Status): a scale indicating physical recovery and performance expectations.
- RHR (Resting Heart Rate)
- 1RM (One-Rep Max): The maximum amount of weight a person can lift in a single repetition for a given exercise, used as a marker of overall strength and power in the exercise.
The results revealed a significant relationship between both estimated 1RM and PRS and the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Notably, there was a general decline in 1RM and PRS toward the end of the cycle. In other words, for most participants, both strength and recovery dipped in the days leading up to menstruation.
Interestingly, strength (1RM) appeared to rebound once menstruation began, but a slight drop in perceived recovery (PRS) was still observed at the start of the cycle. In practical terms, this suggests that many women may experience lingering effects on recovery extending into the early days of menstruation.
Deloitte now predicts that global revenues in women’s elite sports will reach at least US$2.35 billion (£1.88 billion) in 2025, a staggering rise of 240 per cent in four years. We hope this momentum will continue fuelling studies such as this with the potential to improve performance, reduce injury, and empower female athletes at every level.
