Effects of Menstrual Distress on Weekly Training Duration of Female Division III Athletes
Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Open Access
Start Date
4-17-2024 12:00 PM
End Date
4-17-2024 1:15 PM
College
College of Health Sciences
Department
Athletic Training
Abstract
Effects of Menstrual Distress on Weekly Training Duration of Female Division III Athletes
Kourtnie Blankenship
Most women have a regular 21-35 day menstrual cycle in which their bodies undergo different phases of changes and differing hormones. Although there can be a change in the physical body as well as the psychological state of the person during this time, many women continue to participate in sports. The purpose of the study was to use the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire to determine if the level of menstrual distress impacted the duration of total weekly sports participation for female athletes.
There were 23 responses to the questionnaire, 21 providing full information to be used in calculations. The Total Score (TS), Menstrual Symptoms (MS), Menstrual Symptoms Distress (MSD), and Menstrual Specificity Index (MESI) were calculated using the responses of each participant. Multiple linear regression showed that there was no significant correlation between the Total Weekly Training Duration (TWTD) and TS (t20=-4.26, P=.575), TWTD and MS (t20=.124, P=.903), TWTD and MSD (t20=.209, P=.837), but there is a statistically significant relationship between TWTD and MESI (t20=.002, P=.999), suggesting that the MESI score does predict the total weekly training duration of an individual.
Our study aligns with others, finding sports participation for female athletes does not stop due to menstrual distress (low or higher levels of distress), although great differences in symptoms during phases may have some effect. The results of this study can be used to develop a higher level of care for women regarding their menstrual cycle, and how healthcare providers can lower distress while continuing to allow participation. Future research should be conducted to continue seeing how menstrual distress can affect sports participation, particularly in those with menstrual disorders.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Devon Serrano Dr. Tom Bowman
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Effects of Menstrual Distress on Weekly Training Duration of Female Division III Athletes
Turner Gymnasium
Effects of Menstrual Distress on Weekly Training Duration of Female Division III Athletes
Kourtnie Blankenship
Most women have a regular 21-35 day menstrual cycle in which their bodies undergo different phases of changes and differing hormones. Although there can be a change in the physical body as well as the psychological state of the person during this time, many women continue to participate in sports. The purpose of the study was to use the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire to determine if the level of menstrual distress impacted the duration of total weekly sports participation for female athletes.
There were 23 responses to the questionnaire, 21 providing full information to be used in calculations. The Total Score (TS), Menstrual Symptoms (MS), Menstrual Symptoms Distress (MSD), and Menstrual Specificity Index (MESI) were calculated using the responses of each participant. Multiple linear regression showed that there was no significant correlation between the Total Weekly Training Duration (TWTD) and TS (t20=-4.26, P=.575), TWTD and MS (t20=.124, P=.903), TWTD and MSD (t20=.209, P=.837), but there is a statistically significant relationship between TWTD and MESI (t20=.002, P=.999), suggesting that the MESI score does predict the total weekly training duration of an individual.
Our study aligns with others, finding sports participation for female athletes does not stop due to menstrual distress (low or higher levels of distress), although great differences in symptoms during phases may have some effect. The results of this study can be used to develop a higher level of care for women regarding their menstrual cycle, and how healthcare providers can lower distress while continuing to allow participation. Future research should be conducted to continue seeing how menstrual distress can affect sports participation, particularly in those with menstrual disorders.
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