Influence of hormonal variations on the performance and pacing of female cyclists in the heat

The menstrual cycle may influence the performance of athletes competing in the heat. Reproductive hormones that fluctuate across the menstrual cycle alter how efficiently the body can lose and gain heat, potentially leading to the earlier onset of thermal fatigue and impair exercise performance. This thesis investigates the effect of reproductive hormones on the performance of female cyclists in hot humid conditions. Athletes performed simulated Tokyo Olympic time trials in the early follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. There was some evidence that performance improved in the mid-luteal phase, however, further investigation to confirm this finding is required.