Dina Asher-Smith calls for more research into the impact of periods on athletes

And also re. Hormones, I suspect they contribute to female middle age lack of activity. I've always tried to stay active, but I'm 52 now and with perimenopause I've found my joints ache, I'm also constantly getting strains and random crap like frozen shoulder/PF. HRT has helped with the joints to a certain extent but I'm still tired and achey at certain points in the month. I'm putting on weight because I'm finding regular exercise suddenly difficult

I play a racquet sport and I'm useless in the days before my period, clumsy and uncoordinated. I have had a couple of falls and both were at these times. When I have my period I'm grateful I can just play in black shorts or leggings too, would dread whites.
I stopped playing competitive sports at school because of my periods as they were impossible to manage at sporting events, I carried on swimming for a while, but was expected to use tampons from day one and no excuses.

@borntobequiet
Certainly, puberty is when the steep drop-off in girls' participation in sport starts. Periods+general self consciousness about the changing body+worries about appearing unfeminine, probably.

Yes well done Dina and bring on some research (preferably not tied to sports drinks). I know the the funding councils are starting to move on this so hopefully that will have an impact.

I suspect that the impact of periods is the main thing that puts so many teenage girls off sport and exercise. Every time they bemoan girls non participation in sport on the radio I think “but you’re not mentioning menstruation”.
Both I and my DD were talented athletes who stopped competing due to periods and the associated problems, both took up sport at a non competitive level later in life when we knew our bodies better and could manage our cycles better.
I suspect that the high profile and increasingly lucrative nature of women’s football will have a huge impact on this being discussed.

I saw Dina's interview after the 200m heat last night. She also said that isf it was a problem that affected men there'd have been ways to solve it by now.

Agree with pp that the clothes are also going to be a problem. As they are at Wimbledon, all white - there was a protest this year.
Also agree that this is another advantage that the athletes with XY have, will never have to worry about periods.

Good for you, Dina.

I remember Steffi Graf saying in a press conference after losing a final in a Grand Slam tournament that her performance had been affected by her period, and subsequently being mockingly referred to in the (French?) press as Little Miss Tampax. So at least we've moved on from that!
In elite football, there has been a lot more research into the effect of menstruation on performance, susceptibility to injury and so on. It's now standard in top WSL teams to organise the training load (and possibly diet, but I couldn't swear to that) around the menstrual cycle.

roy same. I assumed this was all sorted out. Maybe they'll improve sports bras next.

This.

I heard her interview and thought good for her. Well done Dina (and Jessica Ennis-Hill too) for raising this in such a public arena.

I'm certainly no athlete, but clearly this will be a very big issue for female athletes and needs attention.

The problems periods cause for women from all walks of life also need much more acknowledgment and research.

From a very basic POV I wouldn't want to wear that unitard/body suit when on my period either!!

Something Asher-Smith’s rival, Christine Mboma will never EVER have to worry about 😡.

I don't dare ask 🤣🤣 But yes, I was also concerned about the recovery drink aspect. I guess people can only afford to research what other people are willing to fund.

I am not an athlete (think school sports day as my hell) and was amazed when I saw her being interviewed after the race that this wasn't a thing. How has women's sport got to 2022 with no such input, research, support etc. Surely apart from the help it would give it would be a fascinating area of study and of benefit to all women or is it a oh wait a minute no one cares moment of realisation duh.

This was covered in one of the days on the excellent BBC podcast 28ish Days Later. This one, I think. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0019jy8

I take my hat off to the elite sportswomen who manage to achieve these incredible feats while also coping with the ups and downs of the menstrual cycle.

Considering mini pill on top of hrt as my joints are so badly affected by changes in the cycle. I am struggling to do any exercise that isn't swimming or weights, including walking some days.

Never had any issues when younger.

There is a free app which gives a lot of the info. Don't have to track, can just read all the info relating to days

I was thinking about this yesterday. And how even if I was potentially any good, I could never have competed because I get so ill with every bloody period. I take the pill continuously to avoid having them and the pack unexpectedly ran out so I had to have three days off. And the whole shebang started up again. I could barely leave the house, never mind do any sort of sport. The symptoms vary (severity doesn't though) and this last bout included muscle stiffness..over my entire body! It hurt to walk because me feet were included in that stiffness.

Am totally in support of more research into this. But I a) can't be available for four days and b) a flat no to muscle samples! Not sure who will be able to participate, but good on them.

Yet all said without mentioning periods, it was a girl thing.

Jessica Ennis-Hill is already focusing on this.

it does sound thorough though.
I hope they get enough canditates and meaningful results.

I was going to say that if anyone's interested in helping with this kind of research, Exeter uni are currently looking for people to help research into "The effect of menstrual cycle phase on muscle protein synthesis in response to exercise and a protein-polyphenol drink in young females"

But I've just looked through the details, and it sounds brutal! Spread over 4 days, and two of those days involve having four muscle samples taken from your legs 😬 So, I welcome the research, but I won't be signing up!!

good for her.
comprehensive research would be really good to see.

I'm a hobby runner and definitely feel a difference especially the couple of days before.
but for me it doesn't matter much as I'm slow anyway and not running competitions or to improve my pb.

This is very welcome research. Considering what is already known, this would hopefully help female athletes significantly.

Thanks for sharing