Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Casto, Kathleen

Area of Concentration

Biopsychology

Abstract

Studying the menstrual cycle has broad implications in advancing knowledge on women’s health and wellbeing. While much is known about the neuroendocrine system of hormones that influence the fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, there is little concrete evidence in understanding how behaviors are affected. This study explored relationships between menstrual cycle phases, physical activity levels and motivated physical effort. With the aid of Fitbit devices measuring physical activity, the measurement of ovarian hormones and behavioral tasks in the lab, this study aimed to gain an understanding of the relationship between menstrual cycle variations and physical activity levels throughout the menstrual cycle. Using a within-subjects design, 13 naturally-cycling individuals engaged in physical activity tracking via the Fitbit, filled out self-reported surveys and completed behavioral tasks during lab sessions for a duration of 4 weeks. Overall, no significant menstrual cycle phase-associated patterns of physical activity emerged. A number of possible explanations, such as small sample size and individual differences may contribute to these findings. A significant positive relationship between competitive will time and estradiol were observed. This finding may contribute to the combination of psychological and physical interaction at play when completing a motivated behavioral task. In doing this research on the menstrual cycle, the broader aim is to advance knowledge of women’s health while not enforcing and promoting harmful stereotypes about women.

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