Menstrual Cycle Influence on Post-exercise Recovery: Comparing the Efficacy of Dry and Ice Massage in Female Combat Sports Athletes

ABSTRACT: Trybulski, R, Smoter, M, Vovkanych, A, Svyshch, Y, and Clemente, FM. Menstrual cycle influence on post-exercise recovery: comparing the efficacy of dry and ice massage in female combat sports athletes. J Strength Cond Res 40(5): 597-609, 2026-This study investigated how menstrual cycle phases affect recovery in female athletes after intense exercise, comparing dry massage and ice massage. Thirty-three combat sports athletes (age: 25.3 ± 2.1) were divided into 3 groups: dry massage, ice massage, and control. Subjects underwent an intense plyometric session during both the early-follicular and mid-luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Measurements of muscle stiffness (MS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cutaneous microvascular blood flow (CMBF), reactive strength index (RSI), creatine kinase (CK), and total quality of recovery (TQR) were taken pre- and post-exercise, at 24 and 72 hours. Massage groups received treatment twice daily for 3 days per cycle. Both dry and ice massages significantly reduced CMBF and MS and increased PPT compared with control up to 24 hours posttreatment ( p < 0.001), though effects differed at 72 hours. In addition, recovery in these 3 measures was greater during the early-follicular phase compared with the mid-luteal phase ( p < 0.05), with significant effects observed on CMBF and PPT. Reactive strength index and total quality of recovery were significantly higher at 24 and 72 hours in both massage groups compared with the control ( p < 0.001). Meanwhile, CK levels were significantly superior in both experimental groups only at 72 hours post-session ( p < 0.001) when compared with the control. Menstrual cycle phase did not influence CK, while RSI and TQR showed slight differences. In conclusion, both dry and ice massage effectively enhance recovery following intense exercise, particularly in improving MS, PPT, and CMBF, with the early-follicular phase showing slightly better recovery outcomes than the mid-luteal phase.