Introduction to the Study

A recent study conducted by researchers in Spain and the UK has shed light on the potential impact of the menstrual cycle on sports injuries among professional female athletes. Published in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, the research explores whether menstruation influences the incidence or severity of injuries in elite female football players.

Key Findings

Dr. Eva Ferrer, a sports medicine specialist at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital and a female health expert at the Barça Innovation Hub in Barcelona, led the study. According to Dr. Ferrer, while menstruation itself does not increase the frequency of injuries, injuries sustained during menstruation tend to be more severe. Specifically, these injuries result in three times more days lost compared to injuries occurring at other times in the menstrual cycle.

Study Methodology

The research team monitored 33 elite female football players over four seasons, from 2019/20 to 2022/23. These athletes, competing in Spain’s top women’s football league (Liga F), provided self-reported data on their menstrual cycles. The study recorded 852 menstrual cycles and 80 lower limb injuries, with 11 injuries occurring during menstrual bleeding phases.

Impact of Menstrual Cycle on Injury Severity

The study found a significantly higher injury burden during the bleeding phases of the menstrual cycle. Injuries sustained during these phases were more severe and required longer recovery times. For instance, soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments resulted in 684 days lost per 1,000 training hours during bleeding days, compared to 206 days lost during non-bleeding days.

Hormonal Influences and Injury Recovery

While hormonal fluctuations alone cannot be blamed for injuries, they may influence the severity and recovery time. Low estrogen levels can impair muscle repair, while increased fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances can affect neuromuscular control. Additionally, iron loss during menstruation can reduce endurance and slow recovery, and heightened inflammation may exacerbate tissue damage.

Preventive Measures and Training Adaptations

To mitigate the impact of injuries during menstruation, small adjustments in training routines can be beneficial. Dr. Ferrer suggests longer warm-ups, adjusted high-speed workloads, and enhanced recovery support as potential strategies to reduce injury severity. These findings have implications beyond professional football, as women who exercise can adapt their training schedules based on their menstrual cycle phases.

Limitations and Future Research

The study acknowledges certain limitations, such as the lack of hormone measurements and the influence of external factors like stress, sleep, and nutrition. Additionally, the unequal distribution of bleeding and non-bleeding days could affect the statistical power to detect differences in injury incidence. Despite these limitations, the observed trends highlight the need for further research.

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the importance of individual menstrual tracking for injury prevention and supports the integration of menstrual cycle awareness into athlete health monitoring. It also advocates for a shift towards female-specific sports science, moving away from applying male-based research models to women.

🔗 **Fuente:** https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-sports-injuries-sustained-woman-period.html