title: Soccer-related performance in eumenorrheic Tunisian high-level soccer players: effects of menstrual cycle phase and moment of day.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to examine the combined effects of menstrual cycle phase and moment of day on female soccer players' performances in the five-jump test (5JT), the repeated shuttle-sprint ability test (RSSA), and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIRT1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven eumenorrheic Tunisian high-level soccer players volunteered to participate. Each subject individually participated in three testing periods: one in the early follicular phase (menses), one in the late follicular phase, and another in the luteal phase. In each period, two test sessions were conducted: one at 07:30 and another at 17:30. The testing routines included the 5JT, the RSSA, and the YYIRT1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the measured variables were altered due to menstrual cycle phase (all P>0.05). Mean time during RSSA was significantly lower in the afternoon session compared to the morning session (8.48±0.27 s and 8.77±0.34 s, respectively, P<0.001), while 5JT performance was significantly higher in the afternoon compared to the morning (9.08±0.58 m and 8.60±0.56 m, respectively, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Soccer-specific endurance as well as jumping and repeated sprinting ability of Tunisian female high-level soccer players are not affected due to menstrual cycle phase neither in the morning nor in the afternoon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Lung Function Testing, Faculty of Medicine Ibn-El-Jazzar, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tounsi
authors.affiliation: Montfort Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada - hamdijaafar@montfort.on.ca.|Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jaafar
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aloui
authors.affiliation: National Observatory on Sport, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Souissi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult