Investigating the Effects of Time-of-day and Menstrual Cycle Phase (Low and High Progesterone) on Female's Cognitive and Strength Performance
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Circadian Rhythm, Menstrual Cycle Phase, Female Athletes, Executive Function (Cognition). Basic parameters: 18 years — 30 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effects of Time-of-day and Menstrual Cycle Phase (Low and High Progesterone) on Female's Cognitive and Strength Performance
Overview
This study is designed to determine whether time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase influence athletic performance and is expected to contribute valuable insight into how both time-of-day, and hormonal factors can influence performance and expand existing research. This study aims to support more inclusive, effective and personalised approaches to training and competition schedules for female athletes. The study will involve two testing days that require a participant to complete a compilation of tests at 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours. The testing days will be arranged for when a participant is in phase 1 (lowest levels of progesterone in the menstrual cycle) and phase 4 (highest level of progesterone in the menstrual cycle). The tests will examine a participant's executive function and physical strength. This study will aim to recruit thirty 18-30-year-old females from Lancaster University who identify with a sport that they train \~3 times a week for with a purpose to compete. The females recruited must have a regular menstrual cycle and no history of sleep disorders. Aim: To investigate the effects of time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase (low and high progesterone levels) on executive function and strength in females. Objectives: 1. To determine the effects of time-of-day on executive function and strength tests. 2. To determine the effects of menstrual cycle phase on executive function and strength tests. 3. To examine if there is an interaction between time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase on executive function and strength tests.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in muscle strength with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
- Change in cognitive performance with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in menstrual cycle symptoms with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Ovulation phase confirmation [Time frame: Prior to testing visit and the following menstrual cycle. The day to begin ovulation testing varies depending on menstrual cycle length (21-35 days) but typically will begin around day 10 of each cycle, with day 1 being the first day of bleeding.]
- Change in participant weight with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in hormone levels with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in core body temperature with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in blood pressure with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in heart rate variability with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in brain activity with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Changes in temporality with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Changes in inflammatory markers with time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 (the points of low and high progesterone) of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
- Change in glucose and lactate blood levels in the morning with menstrual cycle phase [Time frame: 07:00 hours in phase 1 and 4 of the menstrual cycle (each cycle is 21-35 days). Phase 1 is during menstruation and phase 4 is +7 days (±1) after the confirmation of the luteinising hormone peak.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Female (assigned at birth)
- Aged 18-30 years
- Tier 2 athlete which requires the participants to identify with a specific sport, train with a purpose to compete, regularly train \~3 times per week and compete at a local level (for example being a member of a BUCS sport and competing regularly with that sport)
- Regular menstrual cycle - considered between 21-35-day cycles with at least 9 periods a year.
Exclusion criteria
- The current/previous (in the last 3 months) use of any contraceptive method that alter the menstrual cycle
- The use of the emergency contraceptive pill either 3 months prior to the study or during the study
- Diagnosis of menstrual disorders including (but not exclusively) endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- A formal diagnosis of sleep disorders such as insomnia
- Consume >400mg/day of caffeine
- A musculoskeletal injury in the past 3 months
- A formal diagnosis of neurological or psychiatric disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia or schizophrenia
- Taking prescribed medication that may affect sleep for example stimulants such as Methylphenidate
- No regular night shift work
- No trans-meridian travel within 10 days of their expected participation dates (travel that will cause jetlag)
- Have given blood in the last 12 weeks - this is not strictly an exclusion; participants will just need to wait until after 12 weeks before taking part in the study
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07399847 · FHM-2025-5797-RECR-2