The «Women Fitness Cycle» project is an initiative dedicated to investigating the impact of the menstrual cycle on women’s physical activity. It aims to understand how the menstrual cycle influences women’s experiences in sports and to address barriers to participation that arise from menstrual cycle symptoms.

The project addresses the critical issue of gender inequality in physical activity and sport, a priority highlighted by the EU Work Plan for Sport (2020-2024), the Kazan Action Plan (2017), and the World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (2018-2030). Research consistently shows that women exhibit lower levels of physical activity than men across all life stages, with an overall 8% less activity. This disparity is further exacerbated by a specific set of barriers women face in sports and physical activity, significantly impacting their engagement and leading to higher rates of inactivity. The menstrual cycle, with its associated physiological and psychological changes such as bodily discomfort, pain, tiredness, mood swings, and altered stress sensitivity, is identified as a significant barrier, negatively affecting women’s willingness and ability to participate in regular physical activity.