The new fitness key

Infradian rhythm, the biological buzz phrase fitness experts are talking about, may help your body better cope with stress

There’s a common mantra in the fitness and wellness realm — “listen to your body”. Of late, however, there’s been an explosion in online wellness content — new diet protocols, new fitness programmes. Around the same time, women’s hormone and autoimmune conditions have spiked by nearly 50-per cent. This, according to Alisa Vitti, a functional nutrition a n d women’s hormone expert and the author of several books including In the Flo: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life, is owing to what’s known as the infradian rhythm.

Of late several experts in the fitness field have begun paying more attention to infradian rhythms in the field. For instance, to optimise their athletic performance, the US women’s soccer team has trained according to their cycle.

After advising the World Cup-winning US women’s football

team, research scientist Georgie Bruinvels, who specialises in the impact of menstrual cycle and hormones on female sports performance, is now working with British female tennis players.

TRAINING WITH YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE, NOT AGAINST IT

So what is infradian rhythm and how can period tracking be useful? A biological buzz phrase fitness experts are talking about, the infradian rhythm is a 28day clock that starts with the first menstruation at puberty and ends with the last menstruation before menopause.

Dr Vimee Bindra, Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic and Endometriosis Excision Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, further explains that infradian rhythm is a rhythm longer than the period of circadian rhythm (the natural, internal process regulating sleep–wake cycles, repeating roughly every 24 hours).

The infradian rhythm is created by the interplay between the cyclical hormones. If you understand the phases of your cycle, you can better understand the physical and mental changes during the menstrual cycle.

— Dr Vimee Bindra, Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic and

Endometriosis Excision Surgeon

Several experts in the fitness field have begun paying more attention to infradian rhythms in the field. For instance, to optimise their athletic performance, the US women’s soccer team has trained according to their cycle

Alisa Vitti