Does the menstrual cycle influence the flexibility of trained and sedentary women? a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The literature on the performance of flexibility and its relationship to the menstrual cycle is controversial, as research evaluates different populations. Objective: this study aimed to compare physical performance among sedentary women trained for flexibility during the phases of two menstrual cycles and to verify if the performance of equal phases changes from one cycle to another. Methodology: during two menstrual cycles 12 volunteers divided into trained groups: G1 (n = 6) and sedentary: G2 (n = 6) participated in a flexibility specific training protocol and were evaluated for flexibility performance by the test of sit and reach in the Wells bank at each phase of the menstrual cycles. Results and discussion: G1 had better performance than G2 in all phases analyzed. There was no difference in performance between the phases of the menstrual cycles evaluated for either group, and the performance between equal phases in the different cycles remained stable. Conclusion: women trained in flexibility perform better in this motor capacity than sedentary women and that the performance in flexibility is not affected by the menstrual cycle in women trained in flexibility and sedentary.