Investigating the effects of menstrual cycle phases on balance and gross motor coordination in elite female Australian Rules football athletes

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been significant advancements in the professionalisation and visibility of women’s sport. This increased visibility has also drawn attention to the paucity of female centric research used to inform training practices. Consequently, females are often engaging in training practices that do not consider their unique and complex attributes e.g., fluctuating hormone levels associated with the menstrual cycle. Of the body of research conducted, most examines physiologically based training variables such as endurance and strength, with little if any considering other performance variables such as motor skills. Performing motor skills effectively and efficiently is critical for athletes competing in the dynamic ball sports e.g., balance and hand-eye coordination in Australian Rules (AR) football. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of menstrual cycle (MC) phases on balance and hand-eye gross motor coordination among elite female Australian Rules (AR) football players. Factors related to athlete perceptions of MC-related performance issues, athlete interactions with support staff, MC data use by coaching staff, symptoms e.g., pain levels were also considered. The findings revealed no statistically significant differences in coordination or balance performance across MC phases. However, practice effects were observed in alternate-hand wall-toss test, highlighting the need for careful consideration of repeated testing protocols. Survey responses highlighted variability in premenstrual symptom frequency and pain level during menstruation. The relationship between self-reported premenstrual symptom frequency and performance rankings in the premenstrual phase, and between self-reported pain levels and performance rankings in the menstruation phase, were not statistically significant. Further, participants identified the early follicular phase as the most challenging for performance, while the mid-follicular phase was most often perceived as optimal. Despite overall comfort in discussing MC-related issues with support staff, participants resisted the use of MC data for gameday decisions, preferring to "play without being benched," even if certain phases were associated with performance decrements. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on MC and female athlete performance, providing nuanced insights into the complex interplay of physiology, perception, and sociocultural factors. The findings advocate for tailored training and recovery strategies, improved communication channels, and gender-sensitive support systems to enhance athlete wellbeing and performance. Future research should expand participant diversity, employ longitudinal designs, and integrate advanced hormonal tracking to refine our understanding of MC-related performance dynamics.

Date of Thesis submission	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Kylie Steel (Supervisor) & Mike Armour (Supervisor)