THE INFLUENCE OF FEMALE HORMONAL PHASES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Introduction: For a long time, the female population was neglected in the academic-scientific field regarding the investigation and understanding of their hormonal particularities in physical performance. However, in contemporary times, there is a growth in sports medicine, and, linked to this, the development of studies aimed at filling the gap in knowledge regarding biological hormonal variations in women and their impacts on active life has been encouraged. Objective: To analyze the relationship between female hormonal variations, whether resulting from the menstrual cycle or the post-menopause period, and the performance of women in physical activities, in addition to understanding how such interference occurs and investigating the existence of ways to alleviate their effects. Methodology: A bibliographic review was carried out using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, and a total of 25 articles were evaluated - with a temporal delimitation of the last 6 years -, captured using descriptors such as “menstrual cycle”, “physical performance”, “physical activity”, “hormonal changes” and “menopause”, of which only 8 were considered in the final development. Literature review: Although there is controversy regarding the real influence of biological hormonal changes on female performance in physical activities, vast case studies report the impacts experienced by women - on their active life - in the different natural cycles resulting from fluctuations in the production of endogenous hormones, such as, for example, the drop in physical performance, compromised conditioning and discouragement to practice. Conclusion: It is highlighted that the hormonal variation to which women are subjected during the menstrual cycle and the hormonal characteristics in post-menopause have a subtle influence on female performance in physical exercises, and it is essential to analyze such factors to understand the response of the body to the different stimuli suffered when carrying out physical activity in each period. In this way, the best adaptation can be developed for the respective female biological phases.