{"id":193770,"date":"2023-08-24T09:52:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T09:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=193770"},"modified":"2023-08-24T09:52:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T09:52:27","slug":"should-cyclists-adapt-training-to-their-menstrual-cycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2023\/08\/24\/should-cyclists-adapt-training-to-their-menstrual-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Cyclists Adapt Training to Their Menstrual Cycle?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is there enough evidence to make recommendations for training based on phases of the menstrual cycle? A new study set out to answer a question that many female cyclists could be asking their coaches. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what they found.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Very little evidence for training based on menstrual-cycle phase<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Researchers from McMaster University in Canada<\/a> and Manchester metropolitan University in the UK joined forces and evaluated all relevant meta-analyses and systematic reviews about the impact of menstrual-cycle phase on resistance exercise performance and training adaptations. Their main conclusion was that there is very little, weak and inconsistent evidence that would support menstrual-cycle training when it comes to strength, exercise performance, and muscle growth.<\/p>\n

On top of this, there are studies<\/a> comparing muscle growth resulting from resistance training between men and women and they show equivalent relative gains in muscle size and strength. These findings make it clear that there are big differences among individuals. But these studies also show that it\u2019s unlikely that there are big differences within one person. Based on the overall current evidence, it would be too soon to say that it\u2019s important to adapt training to the phase of the menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n

Should you take menstrual cycle into consideration?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even though the evidence currently doesn\u2019t show that menstrual cycle has a significant effect on training adaptations and performance, it could still be one of the factors you or your coach consider. After all, you know how much menstrual symptoms influence your ability to train and perform on the bike. But you always have to compare this to other key factors that impact athletic training and performance, such as the following:<\/p>\n