Methodological Considerations for Studies in Sport and Exercise Science with Women as Participants Part II: Guidance for Applied Studies in Elite Female Athletes

The purpose of this statement is to guide the design and conduct of high-quality sport and exercise science studies investigating the effects of varied ovarian hormone profiles on the health and athletic performance of elite female athletes. Beyond the menstrual cycle, these athletes present with a wide range of ovarian hormone profiles, including those associated with puberty and menarche, menstrual dysfunction, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. To effectively integrate knowledge of ovarian hormone profiles into high-performance sport and address the diverse needs of female athletes, future research and educational initiatives must encompass this broader spectrum of ovarian hormone profiles. However, to produce this knowledge, improvements in research design and conduct are necessary and can be facilitated by adopting reporting checklists as a structured approach to enhance transparency and reproducibility. We recommend that such quality assurance measures be integrated at the study design phase, along with clear research questions, appropriate study designs, and valid analysis methods. Consequently, the proposed guidelines aim to support researchers working in applied settings with elite female athletes in generating more robust and impactful evidence.