Athletics NI Host Session on Female Athlete Health
01 June 2019
On 9th June 2019 Athletics Northern Ireland will host Dr Sharon Madigan- Head of Performance Nutrition at the Irish Institute of Sport to deliver a session on ‘Female Athlete Health’ for athletes aged 14 years old+ and their parents/coaches.
Athletes may have noticed the BBC’s campaign around female athlete health this week where Olympians from various sports have engaged in discussion around the impact of periods on their sporting lives.
"Women have a monthly cycle of hormones, which have powerful effects on our bodily system, emotions and mood," said Dr Emma Ross, co-head of physiology at the English Institute of Sport (EIS).
"This difference alone has the potential to mean women will adapt to training differently at different points of their cycle."
According to Dr Ross, more than 70% of women have not received sufficient education about their menstrual cycle and exercise - something British Olympian Eilish McColgan thinks could be hindering people from talking about it.
During the session on the 9th June, Dr Sharon Madigan will discuss:
- the science behind menstrual cycles and hormones
- premenstrual syndrome
- monthly changes in the body which may affect training, competition and injury risk
- the benefits of monitoring menstrual function as a key part of the training schedule
- the female athlete triad
- optimizing nutrition for female athlete health and performance
Athletics NI Coach Development and Physical Preparation Lead, Laura Kerr, who works closely with female athletes through Athletics NI’s Youth Academy said:
“Athletics NI aim to inform and educate female athletes, especially teens so that they can make decisions that will optimize their health and wellbeing as well as athletic performance. We are delighted to host Sharon who is an expert in her field and look forward to providing follow up resources to support female athletes and their parents/coaches more closely in the future. This session is relevant for female athletes and their parents and coaches both male and female”
This week’s BBC article can be found HERE
The session will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast from 2pm on Sunday 9th June 2019. Free registration for this information session which will be available at the hotel from 2-3.30pm and through our online entry system.