Influence of different phases of menstrual cycle on flexibility of young women

Abstract

Introduction: The menstrual cycle is the main responsible for changes in female physiology, which may affect some morphofunctional responses. Objective: to investigate the influence of the different phases of the menstrual cycle on the physical flexibility of young women. Methods: 44 volunteers were divided into a control group (n = 24), which made regular use of hormonal contraceptives, and an experimental group (n = 20), which did not use contraceptives. All volunteers underwent three days of evaluations, one for each phase of menstrual cycle (follicular, ovulatory and luteal). Anthropometric data (body mass, body mass index, waist and abdomen circumferences), and body composition data (body fat percentage and lean mass) were assessed. Flexibility was then analyzed through the sit and reach test on Wells bench. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was then applied for intragroup comparisons, and the Friedman test for comparison between the different menstrual phases. Results: No significant differences between groups within and between different phases of the cycle were observed (p > 0.05). Greater variability within the control group was observed when compared to the experimental group. Conclusion: Regardless of the menstrual cycle phase and of the use of hormonal contraceptives, the physical flexibility is not altered in young women.