The squat jump and sprint force-velocity profiles of elite female football players are not influenced by the menstrual cycle phases and oral contraceptive use.

Abstract

Purpose: Force-velocity profiling is an excellent tool for training individualization, especially in sports with well-established physical preparation practices, such as football. However, it remains unclear whether menstrual cycle phases and oral contraceptive (OC) use influence the force-velocity profile. The aim of this study was to determine whether squat jump and sprint force-velocity profiles change throughout the menstrual cycle or during the use of OC in elite female football players.

Methods: The vertical and horizontal force-velocity profiles of 21 female football players (11 eumenorrheic women and 10 OC users; mean age 26.0 ± 3.7 and 24.1 ± 1.6 years, respectively) were analysed using photocells and a radar device during loaded squat jumps and 40-m sprints. The cycle phase at each testing session was confirmed by measuring serum oestradiol and progesterone concentrations.

Results: The menstrual cycle and OC phases were not associated with changes in the force-velocity profile parameters (p > 0.05). Maximal vertical power and theoretical (ratio between the horizontal component of the ground reaction force and the corresponding resulting maximal force and theoretical maximal running velocity) and functional (time to complete a 40-m sprint) parameters of the horizontal force-velocity profile were higher in OC users than eumenorrheic women.

Conclusion: The main finding of this study is that the force-velocity profile is not influenced by the menstrual cycle phases or OC use. The differences observed between eumenorrheic athletes and OC users require further investigation but are more likely attributed to individual variations rather than to a specific hormonal environment.