From Fragmented to Integrated: A Multidimensional Review of Menstrual Cycle Effects on Performance, Injury, and Recovery in Female Athletes, Unifying Hormonal, Psychological, and Cultural Perspectives in Sport Science
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Authors
Chahal, Harkish
Issue Date
2026-02-17
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
menstrual cycle , female athletes , injury recovery , coaching , intersectionality
Alternative Title
Abstract
This literature review examines the menstrual cycle in female athletes, synthesizing biological, psychological, and sociocultural evidence on performance, injury risk, and recovery. Findings are fragmented. Some studies suggest increased neuromuscular vulnerability in the luteal phase, meta-analyses show minimal group-level performance differences, with individual hormone sensitivity more influential than universal cycle phases. Methodological limitations, including inconsistent phase classification, small samples, and lack of hormonal verification, constrain causal claims. Psychosocial gaps persist, as emotional distress, cultural stigma, and limited coach education hinder support during injury recovery and return-to-sport, and resource disparities exacerbate inequities for marginalized athletes. This capstone identifies an urgent need for integrated biopsychosocial frameworks and proposes the Menstrual Cycle Informed Integrated Support Framework (MC ISF), a three component model (coach education, menstrual informed assessment protocols, and athlete psychoeducation) to guide individualized monitoring and advance equity centered support for female athletes.