How understanding the menstrual cycle is breaking new ground for women’s soccer

guardian.co.uk (nprofile…z4y7)
✍️ Researchers and medical professionals are working together to study the impact of women's menstrual cycles on their performance in soccer, with the goal of optimizing training and nutrition strategies.
👉 The menstrual cycle consists of four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal
👉 Each phase affects the body differently, influencing optimal training and nutrition strategies
👉 Understanding the menstrual cycle can help female soccer players optimize their training and nutrition
👉 Oral contraceptives and other forms of hormonal birth control can affect the body in ways that might negatively influence performance
👉 Research is needed to fully understand the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance

#EmmaHayes #NidiaRodríguez-Sanchez #SinéadDufour #CharlesPedlar #MichelleLyons #NiecaGoldberg #UnitedStates #UnitedKingdom #Canada #Europe #sports

quoting nevent1q…97lz

guardian.co.uk (nprofile…z4y7)

Players’ cycles, once deemed to be a minor inconvenience, are now seen as potential keys to unlock big gains in performanceIn 1921, the English Football Association banned women’s soccer, declaring the game “unsuitable for females”. The sport has reclaimed its place on the world stage over the subsequent century-plus, but another outdated notion persists; that the players’ menstrual cycles are just an inconvenience rather than a key performance variable worth studying.Now, a collection of researchers and medical professionals are lending their expertise to what could be the sport’s next big evolution. Continue reading...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/27/womens-soccer-menstrual-cycle-research