Many women think they do not perform tasks well during menstruation. But a recent study has revealed that women react quickly and make very few mistakes during menstruation. This study was conducted by the University College London (UCL) and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH). This study was recently published in the journal Neuropsychologia. Â
In this study, researchers involved 241 women. Researchers asked these women to give 3 tests to check their reaction time and accuracy. In first, second and third test, researchers asked these women to press a button only when they see a smiling face, find mirror in a 3D scene and click picture of moving balls hit each other respectively. These tests were taken at the difference of 14 days to know how quickly and accurately they react during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Researchers also asked them to use some period-tracking apps to know exactly which phase they were in. Â
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that women reacted very quickly and accurately. They made very few mistakes during menstruation. They were 12% more accurate while they clicked moving balls when they hit each other. They made 25% fewer mistakes when they were asked to press a button when they saw smiling face. On the other hand, they reacted very slowly during the luteal phase. It is the time between ovulation and the start of the next menstruation. But they did not make many mistakes during this phase. Â
One of the researchers said that this could happen because of the changes in hormone levels. She also said that injuries are more common in the luteal phase as women cannot react quickly and accurately. So, this study will help athletes to reduce the risk of injuries caused during this phase of the menstrual cycle. They can also improve their performance during menstruation.Â
Reference Link:Â Â
. Ronca et al, Attentional, anticipatory and spatial cognition fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle: potential implications for female sport, Neuropsychologia (2024).Â
