Barrier, Booster, or Strength? A Text Mining–Enhanced Qualitative Inquiry into the Role of the Menstrual Cycle in Female Athletes' Performance

This study aims to examine the impact of the physical and emotional changes experienced by female athletes during the menstrual cycle on their sports performance. Qualitative data obtained from 346 Reddit comments were analyzed using digital text mining techniques. The research employed sentiment analysis (NRC and VADER), topic modeling (LDA), and word association analysis (Word2Vec), alongside interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and traditional content analysis to deeply explore user experiences. The findings reveal that female athletes experience significant variations in energy levels, motivation, focus, and physical capacity across different phases of the menstrual cycle. While some participants reported decreased performance during menstruation, others described enhanced strength and energy, referring to this as a form of "period power." The role of hygiene products and their practical usability in shaping performance outcomes was also emphasized. Additionally, the study draws attention to the potential effects of hormonal changes on injury risk. In this context, it concludes that the menstrual cycle affects sports performance not only physiologically but also psychologically. The results highlight the importance of developing individualized training strategies tailored to the phases of the menstrual cycle and to athletes’ personal experiences.