Menstrual cycle perspectives in elite Indian female badminton athletes and coaches: A qualitative focus group study

Objective: To explore how elite Indian female badminton athletes and their coaches perceive the menstrual cycle (MC), its influence on training and performance, and the communication dynamics surrounding it, using focus group discussions (FGDs). Methods: Eight elite female athletes and six national-level coaches from three premier Indian badminton academies participated in separate FGDs. Discussions were moderated by an all-female research team, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed using an inductive approach. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) perceived relevance of the MC in elite badminton in India, (2) influence of MC on training and performance, (3) MC-related practices and integration into training planning, (4) communication dynamics around the MC in training settings, and (5) personal reflections through lived experiences. Athletes acknowledged phase-specific changes in physical and emotional states but reported persistent discomfort discussing the MC with male coaches. Coaches demonstrated growing awareness but limited phase-specific understanding and tended to equate the MC with the bleeding phase. Across both groups, “open conversation” emerged as a shared indicator of progress toward destigmatization. Conclusion: Despite increasing awareness, the MC remains under-discussed and under-integrated into training systems within the Indian elite badminton community. Findings underscore the need for structured MC education, trust-based communication strategies, and individualised training modifications. Embedding these within high-performance environments may promote athlete well-being, equitable communication, and sustainable performance.