Influence of Menstrual-Cycle Phase on Sleep and Recovery Following High- and Low-Intensity Training in Eumenorrheic Endurance-Trained Women: The Female Endurance Athlete Project.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of menstrual-cycle (MC) phase on objective sleep and perceived recovery following high- (HIT) and low-intensity training (LIT) in endurance-trained women.

Methods: Fifteen naturally menstruating, endurance-trained women completed standardized HIT and LIT sessions during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) of 2 MCs. Overnight sleep was monitored using a Somnofy sleep monitor after each training session, and perceived recovery was assessed after 24 hours using self-report scales.

Agreement Between the 2- and 3-Step Methods for Identifying Subtle Menstrual Disturbances.

Unlabelled: Recent methodological recommendations suggest the use of the "3-step method," consisting of calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and serum blood sampling, for the identification of subtle menstrual disturbances (SMDs). However, the use of the 3-step method is not always feasible, so a less demanding combination of calendar-based counting and urinary ovulation testing, that is, the 2-step method, may be a viable alternative.

Purpose: To investigate the agreement between the 2- and 3-step methods for the detection of SMDs.

Menstrual Cycle Phase Has No Influence on Performance-Determining Variables in Endurance-Trained Athletes: The FENDURA Project.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the MC and endogenous sex hormone concentrations on performance-determining variables in three distinct MC phases in endurance-trained females.

Methods: Twenty-one eumenorrheic trained/highly trained endurance athletes completed a standardized test battery during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) for either one ( n = 7) or two test cycles ( n = 14). MC phases were determined using calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and verified with serum hormone analysis.