Influence of the menstrual cycle on anaerobic performance, pain perception, and muscle and tendon stiffness

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00039541

Enrollment

Registered

2026-03-09

Start date

2026-03-16

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-04-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

healthy female and male participants

Interventions

Group 1: The main testing sessions in female participants will be conducted during two defined menstrual cycle phases (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase) in randomized order. The study proce

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 35 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: - for women: documented regular menstrual cycle (21–35 days) during the past 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: - for women: pregnancy - for women: hormonal contraception - for women: absent or irregular menstrual cycle - chronic pain - current injuries or illnesses - diagnosed chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) - regular use of pain medication

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
- Local peripheral and central systemic pressure pain thresholds: measured before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after completion of the 90-second maximal isokinetic cycling exercise at two time points of the menstrual cycle (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). These outcomes are assessed using handheld pressure algometers. - Muscle and tendon tissue stiffness: measured at the rectus femoris and patella tendon before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after completion of the 90-second maximal isokinetic cycling exercise at two time points of the menstrual cycle (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). These outcomes are assessed using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography.	—

Measure

Time frame

- Local peripheral and central systemic pressure pain thresholds: measured before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after completion of the 90-second maximal isokinetic cycling exercise at two time points of the menstrual cycle (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). These outcomes are assessed using handheld pressure algometers. - Muscle and tendon tissue stiffness: measured at the rectus femoris and patella tendon before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after completion of the 90-second maximal isokinetic cycling exercise at two time points of the menstrual cycle (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). These outcomes are assessed using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
- Power output (Watts) during the cycle ergometer exercise at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Exercise physiology outcomes, including heart rate, perceived exertion (Borg scale 6–20), and blood lactate concentration during the cycle ergometer exercise at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Menstrual symptoms assessed using the modfied Premenstrual Assessment Form-10 (PAF-10) at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Subjective readiness to train assessed using the Readiness to Train Questionnaire at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Progesterone levels measured via venous blood sampling at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase).	—

Measure

Time frame

- Power output (Watts) during the cycle ergometer exercise at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Exercise physiology outcomes, including heart rate, perceived exertion (Borg scale 6–20), and blood lactate concentration during the cycle ergometer exercise at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Menstrual symptoms assessed using the modfied Premenstrual Assessment Form-10 (PAF-10) at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Subjective readiness to train assessed using the Readiness to Train Questionnaire at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase). - Progesterone levels measured via venous blood sampling at two menstrual cycle time points (early follicular phase and mid-luteal phase).

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactFabian Tomschi

Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Lehrstuhl für Sportmedizin

tomschi@uni-wuppertal.de+49 202 37320816

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: May 1, 2026