ABSTRACT
The female menstrual cycle may affect manual handling capabilities. Twelve females performed isometric and dynamic lifting tasks at five points in their menstrual cycle. There was no significant effect of menstrual cycle phase on maximal isometric lifting strength, isometric endurance capacity, maximal dynamic lifting, self-chosen lifting capacity or the ratings of perceived exertion to any of these tasks. The heart rate response to the isometric tasks was elevated in those phases following ovulation (P<0.05) concurrent with a rise in body temperature. This response seems to have no serious impact on manual handling capacities.
