The effect of the menstrual cycle on selected factors of physical fitness in non-athletic high school female students

Dissertation for obtaining a master's degree in the field of sports physiology

Abstract:

Title: The effect of the menstrual cycle on selected factors of physical fitness in non-athletic female high school students

Background and purpose: Women face special conditions during life, one of which is menstruation. Cycles that repeat every 28 days and have three phases: luteal, follicular and bleeding. Some athletes may be more or less efficient in some stages of menstruation, and these differences can be ignored in daily activities due to their mildness, but they may be important at championship levels. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of menstrual cycle on the level of physical fitness of non-athletic students. Materials and methods: 20 non-athletic students aged 16-20 were available and selected, and physical fitness tests (strength, speed, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility and agility) were performed on them in three phases of the menstrual cycle. Findings: The findings showed that the effect of the menstrual cycle on different factors of physical fitness is different. The cycle had no effect on strength, speed, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and flexibility, but its effect on agility was significant and it was better in the blood phase than in other phases. Conclusion: It was observed that the bicycle had an effect on the execution of the agility test (94m back and forth running) and the performance of the 94m back and forth running in the bleeding phase is better than other phases, especially the luteal phase. Considering that in the luteal phase due to water retention, it is possible for the subjects to feel sluggish and slow in their movements, after entering the bleeding phase, the subjects may feel psychologically calm and relaxed and have a better performance in this phase compared to other phases, especially the follicular phase. Secondary

1. Introduction

The positive effects of exercise and physical activity are not hidden from anyone. If exercise is done correctly and according to the plan, it can be useful and beneficial. But there are certain things that seem to be important and complicated for a long time. With the increase of female athletes who compete at high levels and do exhausting exercises, many problems arise in this regard. The presence of women as half of the society in sports activities is undeniable. The main issue here is that women face special conditions during their lives. Women experience different periods throughout their lives. Their contrast with physical activity and sports has been questioned by many people. Among them is menstruation. A lot of research has been done to show whether women can participate in sports activities during the menstrual period?

In a perfect woman, a complete and regular cycle occurs during 28 days, which is accompanied by physical changes in the structure of the uterine wall and ovarian follicles, as well as in the related hormones. The cycle can be divided into three main follicular phases (12-13) during which the ovarian follicles grow, the ovulation phase which is right in the middle of the cycle and lasts for one to two days, and finally the luteal phase during which the corpus luteum is produced which lasts for 15 days.  (Zen Sport and Health, 2012, p. 86). The first stage or bleeding time includes days 1-4 (5), the second stage of the follicular stage includes 5-14 days, the third stage of the luteal stage includes days 15-28. (Mashkouti Farhanaz, 1386, p. 99)

The main axes involved in the menstrual cycle are neural, hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian. The menstrual cycle begins with uterine bleeding. The level of estrogen (estradiol) decreases and the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary respond by increasing the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormones. The pre-ovulatory phase begins when an ovarian follicle swells under the influence of FSH. The level of estrogen, FSH and LH increase in this phase Fallopian (ovulation) is released.At the end of the ovulation stage, the levels of estradiol and progesterone decrease obviously and start menstruation. (Malina Bouchard, 2011, 544) There are differences between men and women. Regular physical exercises that women do in order to participate in sports, while having effects on the hormonal system, also have temporary effects on the reproductive system. In the ancient Greek Olympic Games, only men had the right to participate in the Olympic Games. This policy was applied in the first modern (new) Olympic Games in 1896. The reason for adopting this policy was that physical activity can be harmful to women's health and will also have adverse effects on pregnancy. Even today, some of these views exist in some countries. Since 1990, following the efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), organizing committees and International Federations (IFS), the women's Olympic program has been growing. All sports are required to include women's competitions in their programs. Women's participation in sports has increased significantly in the 20th century, especially at the end of it. In today's world, there may not be any sport in which women do not participate. Today, they have come to the conclusion that women are physically and mentally capable of participating in intense sports activities. Therefore, women were allowed to participate in competitions and women participate in sports competitions like men. Fortunately, most women have realized the benefits of exercise and exercise and have found that exercise guarantees their health and vitality, so their level of interest and desire for exercise increases day by day. But some athletes may be more or less efficient in some stages of menstruation. These differences in performing physical abilities and daily activities can be ignored due to their mildness, but at the championship levels, it may be important and some female athletes adapt themselves to these changes, for example, they do not participate in training or competitions during the menstrual period, while others change their menstrual cycle during the competition by taking contraceptive pills and other hormonal drugs. rtl;"> Despite the research done in the field of women's sports, unfortunately, there are still many questions and uncertainties about the effects of menstruation on sports performance, which should be made with extensive research and major reforms. Therefore, in order to find answers to the questions that are encountered in this regard and to explain the reasons for the difference in sports records between women and men, the researchers found it necessary to conduct research in this regard. Unfortunately, the research findings were not the same and sometimes they were contradictory. (Abdullah Pour, Azam, 2015, p. 5) Considering the cultural and biological difference between Iranian women and other countries, and also considering the existence of conflicting results in this field, the present research is presented and the researcher is trying to study the level of physical fitness of inactive women in different stages of the menstrual period

1-2. Statement of the problem

The presence of women in sports activities is undeniable. The basic problem is that women face special conditions during their lives and experience various periods throughout their lives. The organs of the female reproductive system include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina. Ovaries, which are 2 in number, produce egg cells and female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for creating and maintaining female sexual characteristics. The structural and physiological differences of a man and a woman cause diversity in their responses to sports and physical activity. Sex hormones are the most important factor of physiological difference between male and female characteristics. After facing female athletes with each stage of the menstrual cycle, different hormonal changes occur in their bodies, with or without mediation, which can affect the capacity and efficiency of the body. Natural female reproduction is characterized by monthly genetic changes in the secretion of female hormones and equivalent changes in sexual organs, which are called the period or female sexual cycle, Menstrual cycle or Femal Sexual cycle. The average cycle duration is 28 days, but it can be as short as 20 days or as long as 45 days.