Tibial acceleration variability during consecutive gait cycles is influenced by the menstrual cycle
2011

Menstrual Cycle Effects on Knee Movement Variability

Sample size: 36 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Bartold Simon, Bryant Adam, Clark Ross

Primary Institution: The University of Melbourne

Hypothesis

Mediolateral knee acceleration during running gait will possess increased variability during menstruation compared to ovulation in women who do not take the monophasic oral contraceptive pill.

Conclusion

Increased variability in the non-pill users at menstruation may indicate compromised motor control strategies, which could affect injury risk.

Supporting Evidence

  • The NP group showed increased variability in tibial acceleration during menstruation compared to ovulation.
  • The MOCP group did not show significant differences in variability at different menstrual cycle stages.

Takeaway

Women who are not on the pill may move differently during their period, which could make them more likely to get hurt.

Methodology

Thirty-six women performed treadmill running trials with an accelerometer to assess tibial acceleration during menstruation and ovulation.

Participant Demographics

36 women, 18 MOCP users and 18 non-pill users.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P=0.022 for NP group, P=0.011 for comparison with MOCP group

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1757-1146-4-S1-O3

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