Creating a Supportive Environment
- Education
- Point of Contact
- Regular Monitoring
- Menstrual Cycle Profiles.
Education
To foster a supportive environment, prioritising education for both athletes and coaches is essential. This education should cover the unique aspects of female physiology, including menstrual cycles, hormonal fluctuations, and their effects on performance, injury risk, and recovery. Educating athletes on these topics ensures they have a better understanding of their bodies, enabling them to recognize when something may be amiss and seek appropriate support.
For coaches, particularly male coaches working with female athletes, this knowledge is crucial. It enhances their ability to promote and maintain healthy habits within their teams, ensuring they can provide the necessary support and guidance.
Organising educational workshops for both athletes and coaches can significantly deepen their understanding of menstrual cycles and menstruation in the context of sports. These workshops contribute to a more informed and supportive athletic community, fostering an environment where female athletes can thrive.
Point of contact
Designating a specific individual within the athlete support team to address menstruation-related, pelvic floor-related and breast-related concerns is a crucial element in fostering a supportive environment for female athletes. This designated point of contact, often a medical professional, coach, or support staff member, should be someone who has not only the expertise but also the ability to build trust and rapport with the athletes. Establishing this trust is essential, as it ensures that athletes feel comfortable approaching them with any concerns related to their health.
Coaches play a key role in this process by actively promoting open communication. They should create an environment where athletes feel secure discussing health issues with the designated point of contact. By fostering a culture that encourages these conversations, coaches can help alleviate any discomfort or embarrassment athletes might experience.
In addition to individual support, promoting peer support among athletes can further enhance the overall environment. Encouraging athletes to share their personal experiences and support one another can help normalise discussions about menstrual health. This peer-to-peer support reduces stigma and fosters a sense of community, making it easier for athletes to address menstrual health openly. When athletes support each other and exchange experiences, it reinforces that menstrual health is a common and natural part of athletic life, which contributes to a more inclusive and understanding team culture.
Regular monitoring
Daily monitoring of menstrual cycle phases and associated symptoms has become increasingly prevalent in professional sports, thanks to a variety of smartphone applications designed for this purpose such as ‘Flo Period & Cycle Tracker” and “Clue Cycle & Period Tracker”. These Apps provide valuable data that allows coaches to objectively assess how different phases of the menstrual cycle may impact an athlete’s performance and readiness. Using these Apps helps remove guesswork from training adjustments, providing a data-driven method for managing athletes’ health and performance effectively. However, it should be noted that while menstrual tracking applications track menstrual bleeding and associated cyclical symptoms, they do not confirm or track ovulation. A player could be regularly menstruating but not ovulating. The only way to confirm ovulation is via blood tests or ovulation kits (Burden et al., 2024).
By analysing this data, coaches can develop personalised training programs that account for individual variations in symptoms and performance. For instance, if an athlete experiences fatigue or decreased strength during certain phases, training intensity can be adjusted to avoid overtraining and potential injuries. Conversely, during phases of higher energy, training can be intensified to capitalise on peak performance.
Encouraging athletes to report changes in their cycle or symptoms keeps their profiles current, allowing for timely adjustments in training and support. This approach also normalises discussions about menstrual health, reducing stigma and fostering an inclusive culture. Ultimately, this strategy helps athletes receive the support they need to perform at their best and supports their overall success and well-being.
Appropriate facilities
Providing appropriate facilities for female athletes is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive environment. This includes female-only toilets and showers, which are essential for privacy and comfort, as well as easy access to sanitary products during training, competitions, and travel. Appropriate training and playing kit are also important i.e., white shorts are not the most convenient.
These provisions not only meet basic needs but also show respect for the unique requirements of female athletes, allowing them to focus on performance without distraction. Ensuring these resources are available fosters an environment of inclusivity, where athletes feel valued and supported, reducing stress and enhancing well-being.
Additionally, offering these facilities encourages open dialogue about menstrual health, normalising the topic and empowering athletes to seek support and perform at their best. This comprehensive approach ensures all aspects of their well-being are addressed.
Conclusion
Coaches play a crucial role in understanding and supporting female-specific health considerations including menstrual health, breast support, pelvic floor function and postpartum well-being are key to their overall performance and well-being. By prioritising education for themselves and their players, coaches can build a more informed and empathetic training environment. Designating a knowledgeable point of contact and implementing regular monitoring can help coaches make informed training adjustments, ensuring players feel comfortable and supported. Additionally, providing appropriate facilities and fostering open, stigma-free communication encourages players to openly discuss their health needs. By adopting these comprehensive strategies, coaches can help female players train, compete, and excel at their best.