A Randomized Crossover Pilot Trial on the Influence of a Daily Mindfulness Yoga Practice on Menstrual Cycle Symptoms, Measures of Well-Being, and Training Perception in Athletic Women.

The menstrual cycle (MC) is a series of hormonal fluctuations that occur approximately every 22-35 days in reproductive-age females, often resulting in a range of physical and psychological symptoms at different points of the cycle. MC symptoms range from mild discomfort to debilitating effects. One intervention that may be able to address these symptoms is yoga, a mind-body practice that incorporates physical postures with breathwork to foster a mindful connection to the body.

Menstrual cycle patterns and their relationship with measures of well-being and perceived performance metrics in competitive and recreational resistance-trained athletes.

Background: There is mixed evidence on how the menstrual cycle (MC) affects sports performance, with many studies showing variations in performance during different phases of the MC, while other evidence shows that the MC's effects on performance may be trivial. Therefore, this exploratory longitudinal monitoring study was designed to investigate MC characteristics and symptoms in a resistance-trained (RT) population to look for associations between measures of well-being and perceived performance metrics across the MC.

Methods: RT females reported their workout habits, perceived performance metrics, and measures of well-being while tracking their MC with detailed methods via daily check-ins in an app.