Sport participation and menstrual health outcomes among adolescent girls in China: A cross-sectional study

Menstrual challenges such as dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, and premenstrual symptoms are common among adolescent girls, often compromising their overall well-being. Recent studies indicate that sports participation may enhance menstrual health, though quantitative data specific to Chinese adolescents remains limited. This study aimed to examine the connection between sports involvement and menstrual health through a reproductive health lens. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, girls aged 12-18 completed structured questionnaires of 300 people assessing their sports activities, menstrual pain intensity, cycle regularity, premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress levels, and sleep quality. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multivariate regression techniques. Results revealed that increased engagement in sports was significantly linked to lower severity of menstrual pain, improved cycle predictability, and reduced premenstrual symptoms. These associations held strong even after adjusting for factors like age, BMI, stress levels, and sleep quality. Reliability across measurement scales ranged from satisfactory to high. This research highlights the positive role of sports participation in enhancing menstrual health among Chinese adolescent girls. Promoting regular and moderate physical activity emerges as an effective strategy to boost reproductive health and overall well-being during adolescence.