Conditioning for Female Rugby Players

Wellness Questionnaire

Wellness questionnaires can be used to determine how athletes are ‘feeling’ with the stresses of training and life in general and can be utilised to identify athletes who may be at risk of overtraining (Scott et al., 2016). Wellness questionnaires generally include questions revolving around perceived fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep duration and mood. Wellness questionnaires can also include questions regarding the severity of symptoms of the menstrual cycle. Accumulating the overall score of the wellness questionnaire will give an overall wellness score; this score can be compared to previous scores for the individual. Low wellness scores can trigger a conversation between the coach and athlete in question, and if necessary, the training load can be manipulated. Figure 3 below gives a sample wellness questionnaire which could be used with female athletes.

 

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Fatigue
  Very fresh  Fresh  Normal  More tired than normal  Very tired
Sleep Quality
  Very restful  Good  Difficult falling asleep  Restless  Insomnia
Muscle Soreness
  Feeling good  Good  Normal  Increase in muscle soreness  Very sore
Stress Levels
  Very relaxed  Relaxed   Normal  Stressed   Very Stressed
Mood
  Very positive  Good mood  Less interested in activities as normal  More agitated than normal  Highly annoyed, irritable or down
Menstrual Cycle Symptoms
  No symptoms  Light symptoms  Moderate symptoms  Heavy symptoms  Extremely heavy symptoms

Figure 3 - Sample Wellness Questionnaire

When using simple screening tools, it is important to know ‘what next’ when symptoms have been flagged. Specific screening tools for Pelvic Health, Menstrual Health and Symptoms, and REDs Screening can be used (see links provided below). The coach involved in a supportive role does not need to be a female health expert but can use the tools below to identify players who may require further support and referral to a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist or Medical Doctor.

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