An analysis of muscular strength and dietary choices for women physically active during the menstrual cycle

Abstract

Thousands of women suffer from the monthly premenstrual syndrome, consisting of physical and emotional symptoms that can interfere with daily activities and the practice of sports, for many women report pain and malaise during this period. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the menstrual period interferes with muscle strength and the dietary choices of physically active women. The muscle strength of ten women, fitness workout practitioners, was analyzed using the 1RM test for upper and lower limbs, and a 24-hour dietary recall was completed in two phases of the menstrual cycle. All the women were healthy and did not make use of oral or injectable contraceptives. There was a significant increase in muscle strength of upper and lower limbs in the secretory phase comparing to the menstrual phase (p<0,05) and a significantly higher consumption of sweets was observed in the menstrual phase (p<0,05). The hormonal oscillations of the period may have influenced these changes, which cannot be neglected, for they affect physical and emotional mood for practicing sports, also interfering with their usual diet with increased intake of simple carbohydrates. Physically active women, coaches and nutritionists must be alert to these changes in order to develop strategies that will avoid overload training or strictness in the diet, which can compromise physical performance, a successful nutritive plan and even damage these women's health.