Insights From Prague Tour with England Players

I was selected to represent my country in a tournament out in Prague against other countries like Germany, Hong Kong, Finland, Netherlands, and Canada (WGN).

Most of us set off 18th April 2024 by plane varying different times and for those up north from saying bye bye Manchester to Hello Prague!

There was 36 of us in total including Manger Anna Speight, Head Coach Rob Clark, Coaches Scott Joyner, Don McGraw, Millie Geddes. S&C Lyndon Stewart, physio Hannah Gillings and the players representing England Women's National Box Lacrosse Team.

The schedule we had was a tight one with team meetings, checking kit, training on the floor, mobility sessions with recovery (ice baths, fuel, foam roller, massage gun...) and game time.

We've created amazing memories with kids asking for autographs and asking if we know Taylor Swift to players being selected to play in the All Stars Game. Unbreakable bonds which we learned so much and was such an experience! It is just the beginning!..

We came to a close and say our goodbye and head our way back home 23rd April 2024.

During our time there, I engaged in some insightful discussions about stigmatised topics such as education and gender expectations, segue into conversations about the menstrual cycle. We shared personal anecdotes, reflecting on negative experiences, and found common ground in our exchanges, which were rich and recurrent across various conversations. Additionally, contraception was brought into the discourse, broadening the scope of our discussions. My intension of recruiting team mates as participants as they also want to share their experiences.

Study suggests injury risk varies in menstrual cycle. The new research spanning three years and focusing on a Women’s Super League club suggests that players are more prone to injuries at specific points in their menstrual cycle.

The study, conducted by researchers from University College London (UCL), the University of Bath, and St Mary’s University, tracked 26 players from a top WSL club, marking the first longitudinal study of its kind. Their findings, published in 'Medicine & Science in Sports Exercise', indicate that players were six times more likely to sustain muscle injuries in the days leading up to their period compared to during their period.

Despite its limited sample size, the study is considered a crucial prompt for further investigation and investment, emphasizing the importance of considering the menstrual cycle in elite sports.

Ally Barlow, the study's lead author and a WSL physiotherapist, stressed the need to expand this research to uncover trends and potential interventions to reduce injury risks.

The authors categorized the menstrual cycle into four phases: menstruation, mid-to-late follicular phase, early-mid luteal phase, and pre-menstrual phase, each with hormonal fluctuations that could impact health.

Their analysis revealed that players were at a significantly higher risk of muscle injuries during the pre-menstrual and early-mid luteal phases compared to menstruation.

This research challenges common assumptions about injury risks during menstruation, encouraging more open conversations between players and coaches about the menstrual cycle's impact on athletic performance. Dr. Georgie Bruinvels, a senior author of the study, advocates for a positive narrative around supporting female athletes' unique needs.

Low confidence and periods stop girls liking PE, Youth Sport Trust survey suggests.

A recent survey suggests that the gap between boys and girls in England who enjoy PE lessons is growing. According to the Youth Sport Trust survey, periods and low confidence were the main reasons girls cited for not wanting to participate in PE. Only 59% of girls in secondary schools said they liked PE, compared to 84% of boys. This is a decrease from 74% for girls in a similar survey in 2016, while the proportion for boys has stayed the same. The government aims to ensure all children have opportunities to develop a lifelong passion for sport, including by encouraging schools to offer at least two hours of PE per week.

Over £600 million in funding will be provided over two academic years, following calls from the England women's national football team for more school sports opportunities for girls. The Youth Sport Trust, the charity behind the survey, emphasizes the need for urgent action to engage young women in sport, as their future activity levels could be affected. Tizzy, an 18-year-old A-level student, shares her negative experiences with PE, highlighting issues with the curriculum and the pressure to perform. Olympic bronze-medallist Holly Bradshaw empathizes with girls' concerns about body confidence and suggests offering a wider range of PE kit options could help improve girls' participation and enjoyment of sport.

Dr. Jackie Day-Garner from the University of Central Lancashire emphasizes the importance of role models and diverse activities in encouraging teenage girls to engage in sport. The survey involved nearly 25,000 children, providing insights into the challenges girls face in accessing and enjoying PE.

BBC Elite British Sportswomen's Study 2024: Sportswomen discuss their use of the contraceptive pill

Some sportswomen face a tough decision regarding contraceptive pills. These pills can help manage their menstrual cycle's impact on performance, but they also raise concerns about side effects and synthetic hormones. A BBC Sport study found that a quarter of elite British sportswomen take contraceptive pills for this reason, aiming to control their period's timing to avoid interference with training or competition.

One athlete, Lily Young from the British Sailing Team, used the combined pill for this purpose but felt uncertain about the research behind it. The combined pill, primarily used to prevent pregnancy, involves taking hormones for 21 days followed by a seven-day break to induce bleeding. Some athletes, like Young, skip these breaks to minimize the number of periods they have throughout the year.

Despite some athletes finding relief from menstrual symptoms through these methods, concerns about the long-term effects of hormonal contraception persist. Some switch to other methods like the Mirena coil, which releases hormones directly into the uterus and can reduce or stop periods altogether. However, making such changes can be daunting, as athletes worry about disrupting their bodies, especially before important events.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) states that there's no maximum duration for using contraceptive pills like Microgeon, Young's pill, and taking them continuously for three months is legal. The MHRA advises discussing individual needs and risks with a healthcare professional.

While some athletes find hormonal contraception helpful, others experience negative side effects. Researchers have noted a link between the menstrual cycle and injuries, including ACL tears, prompting some athletes to reconsider their contraceptive methods. However, more research is needed to understand how hormonal fluctuations affect injury risk and performance.

Despite increasing awareness, negative perceptions surrounding the menstrual cycle persist. Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale emphasizes the need for tailored research to address sportswomen's specific needs. However, involving elite athletes in research studies poses challenges due to their busy schedules. Nonetheless, efforts are underway to bridge this gap and provide better support for female athletes.

Examining these articles concerning how the menstrual cycle impacts women in sports and its correlation with injuries reveals a significant overlap in experiences. This reflecting further onto my conversations with team mates. However, it's apparent that there's a deficiency in comprehensive understanding and ongoing research in this area. That's why I'm eager to delve deeper into this realm and contribute to disseminating creative avenues for expressing people's experiences. One effective method to initiate this endeavour is through photovoice, a powerful tool for empowering individuals to share their stories visually and foster meaningful dialogue around their lived experiences.