Tactical Training and the Menstrual Cycle – From the Field Experience from Naval Special Operations Training
by Ingri Pauline
TSAC Report
April 2022
Vol 63, Issue 2
This article serves to educate people about the menstrual cycle in the tactical female population. It provides a framework for how to work through the phases of menstruation to increase training response, and thus, overall success in military training.
Paywall block issue
This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.
Read the full article
View the video
Login to view more
{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership
or can be purchased for {{prices}}
or can be purchased. Price range: {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions
This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
References
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Committee opinion. Menstruation in girls and adolescents: Using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Obstetrics and Gynecology 126: 143-146, 2015.
2. Bonnar, D, Bartel, K, Kakoschke, N, and Lang, C. Sleep interventions designed to improve athletic performance and recovery: A systematic review of current approaches. Sports Medicine 48(3): 683-703, 2018.
3. Charest, J, and Grandner, MA. Sleep and athletic performance: Impacts on physical performance, mental performance, injury risk and recovery, and mental health. Sleep Medicine Clinic 15(1): 41-57, 2020.
4. Herzberg, SD, Motu’apuaka, ML, Lambert, W, Fu, R, Brady, J, and Guise, JM. The effect of menstrual cycle and contraceptives on ACL injuries and laxity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 5(7): 2017.
5. Hooper, AE, Bryan, AD, and Eaton, M. Menstrual cycle effects on perceived exertion and pain during exercise among sedentary women. Journal of Women’s Health 20(3): 439-446, 2011.
6. Julian, R, Hecksteden, A, Fullagar, HH, and Meyer, T. The effects of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance in female soccer players. Plos One, 12(3): 2017.
7. Leeangkoonsathian, E, Pantasri, T, Chaovisitseree, S, and Morakot, N. The effect of different progestogens on sleep in postmenopausal women: A randomized trial. Gynecology Endocrinology 33(12): 933-936, 2017.
8. Máximo, MM, Silva, PS, Vieira, CS, Gonçalvez, TM, Rosa- E-Silva, JC, Candido-Dos-Reis, F, and Nogueira, AA. Low-dose progestin-releasing contraceptives are associated with a higher pain threshold in healthy women. Fertility and Sterility 104(5): 1182-1189, 2015.
9. Pallavi, LC, Souza, UJ, and Shivaprakash, G. Assessment of musculoskeletal strength and levels of fatigue during different phases of menstrual cycle in young adults. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 11(2): CC11-CC13, 2017.
10. Papadopoulou, SK. Rehabilitation nutrition for injury recovery of athletes: The role of macronutrient intake. Nutrients 12(8): 2449, 2020.
11. Reis, E, Frick, U, and Schmidtbleicher, D. Frequency variations of strength training sessions triggered by the phases of the menstrual cycle. International Journal of Sports Medicine 16(8): 545–50, 1995.
12. Solomon, SJ, Kurzer, MS, and Calloway, DH. Menstrual cycle and basal metabolic rate in women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 36(4): 611-616, 1982.
13. Sovijit, WN, Sovijit, WE, Pu, S, Usuda, K, Inoue, R, Watanabe, G, et al. Ovarian progesterone suppresses depression and anxietylike behaviors by increasing the Lactobacillus population of gut microbiota in ovariectomized mice. Neuroscience Research 168: 76-82, 2021.
14. Sung, E, Han, A, Hinrichs, T, Vorgerd, M, Manchado, C, and Platen, P. Effects of follicular versus luteal phase-based strength training in young women. Springerplus 3(1): 668, 2014.
15. Szayna, TS, Larson, EV, O’Mahony, A, Robson, S, Schaefer, AG, Matthews, M, et al. Considerations for integrating women into closed occupations in U.S. Special Operations Forces. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2016. Retrieved 2021 from https:// www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1058.html.
16. Wikström-Frisén, L, Boraxbekk, CJ, and Henriksson-Larsén, K. Effects on power, strength and lean body mass of menstrual/oral contraceptive cycle based resistance training. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 57(1-2): 43-52, 2017.
17. Wikstrom-Frisen, L, Boraxbekk, CJ, and Henriksson-Larsen, K. Increasing training load without risking the female athlete triad: Menstrual cycle based periodized training may be an answer? Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 57(11): 1519-1525, 2016.
Available to:
Members only
Members only
Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Exercise Science Program design Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease
Exercise Science Program design Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Use
- Retraction and Correction Policy
- © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association
#NSCAStrong
#NSCAStrong