The Female Athlete

Previous research studies have shown limited knowledge among athletes and coaches in matters concerning menstruation, symptoms, contraception and hormones. This lack of knowledge concerns both basic physiology and how coaches work practically in this area; for example, how symptoms are treated or how training can be planned based on a woman's hormonal cycle.

Another significant issue is how communication with and about female athletes is structured, regarding issues that affect hormones, the menstrual/hormonal cycles, contraceptives and symptoms. These topics are considered by some coaches and athletes as difficult to talk about, while research highlights the importance of having conversations about the issues.

This multi-disciplinary project places the female athletes and their coaches at the heart of the research questions. It is a close collaboration with the Swedish Ski Federation, and aims to improve education, knowledge, communication and ultimately, practices, in relation to the female menstrual cycle.

The first phase of the project is largely qualitative, involving questionnaires, interviews, educational interventions and focus group discussions to identify the current challenges and opportunities for development. The second phase of the project will implement interventions, in order to impact upon behaviour and routines, with an ultimate goal of improving performance and health in our female athletes.

Thoughts on elite sports, pregnancy and parenting

Within the framework of the research project “The female athlete”, Mid Sweden University, in collaboration with NTNU, is conducting a new study on pregnancy and parenting in cross-country skiing in Scandinavia. The aim of the study is to examine views and experiences among those who have become a mothers during their careers and to investigate feelings about the combination among those athletes who have not yet started a family. Ultimately, we hope to help change norms and routines so that female athletes can have a longer and safer elite sporting career.

— Today, far more female than male elite athletes choose to finish their athletic career in connection with starting a family. However, many women manage the combination very successfully. For example, at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, there were 21 mothers in the U.S. team. We hope to contribute to ensuring that there are good conditions for more women in Scandinavia to continue their sport for longer, says Max Bergström, research assistant.

— Elite female athletes experiencing pregnancy and childbirth undergo physical changes that limit their short-term ability to compete. In the long-term, however, the burden of responsibility associated with parenting need not differ between the sexes. Opportunities to pursue an athletic career should be equal for mothers and fathers — yet they are not. This research aims to better understand the views of female elite athletes in relation to motherhood and their athletic career choices, says Dr. Kerry McGawley, project leader.