Sport and exercise providers at all levels can support their participants.
The FITR menstrual Cycle app tracks your menstrual cycle. Improve performance through detailed research. Learn about hormones at different phases of your cycle. Apply science to your nutrition and training programme. Insights into external factors such as injury risks, types of training and recovery snacks. Male coaches/instructors are not left out either.
Exercise and periods are becoming a hot topic in the sporting world—top athletes using their platform to support future athletes. Remove the embarrassment. Start open conversations and detailed research. Avoid injury, and stay healthy. Eat well, train hard and achieve success.
Long distance runner Eilish McColgan said: ‘Some months, it's manageable. In other months, it's unbearable. There's no telling which Eilish you're going to get on the day. To try and run, or at least perform to the best of my ability, is an almost impossible task’.(https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/61752427.amp)
The FITR app is a way to track your symptoms over time. Building a record so you can notice trends. Patterns of symptoms. Review as much as you like and track your exercise intensity.
Following the essential nutritional guidance are recipes to try. From post-training recovery snacks to main meals and smoothies. All are tailored to meet the needs of the type of training suited to the phase. Linked back into the physiology placed upon the body.
Athlete Dina Asher Smith pulled up with a cramp in the European 100-metre final. In her post-race interview, she said:
“I wasn’t about to go and run a whole race on two cramping calves and possibly tear them. It’s just very annoying,” (https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/news/dina-asher-smith-period-cramps-dashed-100m-dreams/)
The recovery insights are informative, easy to follow and offer simple practical advice. Tracking your dates allows you to know when injury risk is more common. Allowing you to pull back or push. Adapting your exercise around your cycle. Recognise warning signs of the additional stress on the body at certain times.
Why should male coaches download this app?
Golfer Lydia Ko from New Zealand spoke to commentator Jerry Foltz to inquire whether the tightness in her back and hips would be a recurring injury problem.
“I hope not,” said Ko. “It’s that time of the month. I know the ladies watching are probably like, yeah, I got you.(https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/03/that-time-of-the-month-golfer-lydia-ko-stuns-reporter-after-talking-about-period)
Just one of a few male commentators who seem to have been stunned by athlete responses.
Think of it as professional development. Something coaches attend all the time. This is an extension. Its knowledge and knowledge is power. That doesn’t mean knowing when each person has a period or what phase they are at.
But it does allow for open conversations. Signposting and printing nutritional post-training recipes. Exploring different levels of training intensity, being observant, and being supportive. But discreetly and with care.
Is it just the men?
The twist on this is that some females may be more uncomfortable talking than some men. So don’t be embarrassed. The aim is to get talking. Just like we do for mental health.
Further opportunities For Coaches
There are even more choices with the Fitr Coaches App, but for these, you need to pay a fee. You can access a 14-day trial for free. For this, your athletes/participants agree to send you their data. Allowing you to plan ahead.
If it works for you, sign up and encourage other coaches, instructors, teammates and exercise participants.
Summary
Research is building, showing what a strong and supportive app this is. It is reported that the Female athlete Program now works alongside Chelsea Women’s Football Team, USA Swimming, Red Bull High Performance and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
The biggest success could be the work conducted with The Lionesses of England’s European Championship winning Football team. How this helped top-level players can help the ones starting out as well.
Be open and honest. It’s not an excuse. It’s reality. A problem that needs resolving. Something to which there are no quick fixes. Commentators be ready! This topic is not going away. So get used to it.
Eilish McColgan - BBC Column
Women’s Running - Athlete Dina Asher Smith
Golfer - Lydia Ko - Stuns Reporter
Fitr Coach Programme