Effect of menstrual cycle on perceived exertion and running economy during treadmill running
Journal Title
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Issue Date
2009
Authors
Harrison, Kimberly
Publisher
Keywords
Running for women -- Physiological aspects. , Menstrual cycle. , Fatigue -- Psychological aspects. , Running -- Training.
Abstract
Purpose of this study was to examine how the menstrual cycle affects rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and running economy during treadmill running, specifically exploring whether a female runner’s point in the menstrual cycle might cause them to judge their perceived effort to be higher or lower. Hypotheses included that female athletes would have a higher RPE than male athletes during an equivalent intensity exercise; that the greatest discrepancies between men and women runners would occur when the women were in the pre-menstrual phase of their cycle; that female runners would be the least economical during the pre-menstrual phase. Results of testing 10 well-trained distance runners indicated that only the 80% of VO2max variable differed significantly with runners’ gender; the author suggests that perhaps a larger sample size would yield more conclusive results in relating the other variables.
Description
ix, 77 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.