Female basketball game performance is influenced by menstrual cycle phase, age, perceived demands and game-related contextual factors.

This study evaluated the influence of physical and perceived game demands, menstrual cycle phase, perceived recovery, individual and game-related contextual factors on competitive performance in professional, female basketball players.11 professional female players (age: 20.6 ± 2.7 years) were monitored for game-related statistics (Performance Index Rating, PIR; rebounds, REB; effective field goal %, eFG%; turnovers, TO), objective (PlayerLoad per minute, PL·min -1 ) and subjective (RPE) game loads, pre-game perceived recovery (Total Quality Recovery, TQR pre ), menstrual phase (follicular; luteal) and game-related contextual factors (game location; game outcome; score differential; opponent level) during 12 official games. Separate linear mixed models were used to evaluate the influence of RPE, PL·min -1 , TQR pre , menstrual phase, contextual factors, and individual characteristics (age; playing position) on game-related statistics.Higher PIR and eFG% were found for older players and those who reported higher RPE (all p  < 0.05). Higher age also led to less TO ( p  = 0.042). eFG% was higher when players reported higher TQR pre ;( p  = 0.010). Better shooting (eFG%) and rebounding (REB) performances were found during the follicular menstrual phase ( p  < 0.05). More REB were collected in won games ( p  = 0.002).This study suggests that the co-influences of perceptual, menstrual-related, individual and game-related contextual factors should be considered to optimise female basketball players' performance.