Normalising the conversation: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support within elite female soccer

References

• Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Škarabot J, Hicks KM, Simoes DC, Thomas K. 2019. Menstrual cycle-associated modulations in neuromuscular function and fatigability of the knee extensors in eumenorrheic women. J Appl Physiol. 126(6):1701–12. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01041.2018.
   Google Scholar
• Armour M, Parry KA, Kand S, Smith CA. 2020. Australian female athlete perceptions of the challenges associated with training and competing when menstrual symptoms are present. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 15(3):316–323. doi:10.1177/1747954120916073.
   Google Scholar
• Becker AJ. 2009. It’s not what they do, it’s how they do it: athlete experiences of great coaching. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 4(1):93–119. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.4.1.93.
   Google Scholar
• Braun V, Clarke V. 2013. Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. London: Sage.
   Google Scholar
• Brown N, Knight CJ. 2021. Understanding female coaches’ and practitioners’ experience and support provision in relation to the menstrual cycle. Int J Sport Sci Coach. 17(2):235–243. doi:10.1177/17479541211058579.
   Google Scholar
• Bruinvels G, Goldsmith E, Blagrove R, Simpkin A, Lewis N, Morton K, Suppiah A, Rogers JP, Ackerman KE, Newell J, et al. 2020. Prevalence and frequency of menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with availability to train and compete: a study of 6812 exercising women recruited using the Strava exercise app. Br J Sports Med. 55(8):438–443. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102792.
   Google Scholar
• Chantler I, Mitchell D, Fuller A. 2009. Diclofenac potassium attenuates dysmenorrhea and restores exercise performance in women with primary dysmenorrhea. J Pain. 10(2):191–200. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2008.08.006.
   Google Scholar
• Chrousos GP, Torpy DJ, Gold PW. 1998. Interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the female reproductive system: clinical implications. Ann Intern Med. 129(3):229–40. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-129-3-199808010-00012.
   Google Scholar
• Clarke A, Govus A, Donaldson A. 2021. What male coaches want to know about the menstrual cycle in women’s team sports: performance, health, and communication. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 16(3):544–553. doi:10.1177/1747954121989237.
   Google Scholar
• Davis HC, Hackney AC. 2017. The hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and oral contraceptives: regulation and function. In: Hackney, AC editor. Sex hormones, exercise and women: scientific and clinical aspects. London, UK: Springer.
   Google Scholar
• De Souza MJ, Mallinson RJ, Strock NC, Koltun KJ, Olmsted MP, Ricker EA, Scheid JL, Allaway HC, Mallinson DJ, Kuruppumullage Don P, et al. 2021. Randomised controlled trial of the effects of increased energy intake on menstrual recovery in exercising women with menstrual disturbances: the ‘refuel’ study. Human Reprod. 36(8):2285–2297. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab149.
   Google Scholar
• De Souza MJ, Nattiv A, Joy E, Misra M, Williams NI, Mallinson RJ, Gibbs JC, Olmsted M, Goolsby M, Matheson G, et al. 2014. 2014 Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement on treatment and return to play of the female athlete triad: 1st International Conference held in San Francisco, California, May 2012 and 2nd International Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2013. Brit J Sports Med. 48(4):289.
   Google Scholar
• Dos Santos Andrade M, Mascarin NC, Foster R, Vancini RL, de Lira Barbosa CA. 2016. Is muscular strength balance influenced by menstrual cycle in female soccer players? J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 57(6):859–864. doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06290-3.
   Google Scholar
• Findlay RJ, Macrae EHR, Whyte IY, Easton C, Forrest LJ. 2020. How the menstrual cycle and menstruation affect sporting performance: experiences and perceptions of elite female rugby players. Br J Sports Med. 54(18):1108–1113. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101486.
   Google Scholar
• Gall MD, Gall JP, Borg WR. 2003. Educational research: an introduction. MA:a &. Boston, USA: B Publications.
   Google Scholar
• Giacomoni M, Bernard T, Gavarry O. 2000. Influence of the menstrual cycle phase and menstrual symptoms on maximal anaerobic performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 32(2):486–492. doi:10.1097/00005768-200002000-00034.
   Google Scholar
• Gordon CM. 2010. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. N England J Med. 363(4):365–371. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp0912024.
   Google Scholar
• Gratton C, Jones I. 2004. Research methods for sport studies. London, UK: Routledge.
   Google Scholar
• Heather AK, Thorpe H, Ogilvie M, Sims ST, Beable S, Milsom S, Schofield KL, Coleman L, Hamilton B. 2021. Biological and socio-cultural factors have the potential to influence the health and performance of elite female athletes: a cross sectional survey of 219 elite female athletes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Front Sports Act Living. 27(3):1–9. doi:10.3389/fspor.2021.601420.
   Google Scholar
• Hewett TE, Myer GD, Zazulak BT. 2008. Hamstrings to quadriceps peak torque ratios diverge between sexes with increasing isokinetic angular velocity. J Sci Med Sport. 11(5):452–459. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2007.04.009.
   Google Scholar
• Julian R, Hecksteden A, Fullagar HH. 2017. The effects of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance in female soccer players. PLoS One. 12(3):e0173951. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173951.
   Google Scholar
• Julian R, Skorski S, Hecksteden A, Pfeifer C, Bradley PS, Schulze E, Meyer T. 2021. Menstrual cycle phase and elite female soccer match-play: influence on various physical performance outputs. Sci and Med in Football. 5(2):97–104. doi:10.1080/24733938.2020.1802057.
   Google Scholar
• Landgren BM, Unden AL, Diczfalusy E. 1980. Hormonal profile of the cycle in 68 normally menstruating women. Eur J Endocrinol. 94(1):89–98. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0940089.
   Google Scholar
• Lebrun CM, Joyce SM, Constantini NW. 2013. Effects of female reproductive hormones on sports performance. Endocrinology of physical activity and sport. London, UK: Springer.
   Google Scholar
• Logue DM, Mahony L, Corish CA, Tobin D, Doherty R, O’Higgins G, Madigan SM. 2021. Athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of nutritional advice: eating more food for health and performance. Nutrients. 13(6):1925. doi:10.3390/nu13061925.
   Google Scholar
• Martin D, Sale C, Cooper SB, Elliott-Sale KJ. 2018. Period prevalence and perceived side effects of hormonal contraceptive use and the menstrual cycle in elite athletes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 13(7):926–932. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2017-0330.
   Google Scholar
• McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Morehen JC, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Elliot-Sale KJ, Cronin CJ, Morton JP. 2022. Carbohydrate fear, skinfold targets and body image issues: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of the nutrition culture within elite female soccer. Sci Med Football: 1–11. doi:10.1080/24733938.2022.2101143.
   Google Scholar
• McNulty KL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Dolan E, Swinton PA, Ansdell P, Goodall S, Thomas K, Hicks KM. 2020. The effects of menstrual cycle phase on exercise performance in eumenorrheic women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 50(10):1813–1827. doi:10.1007/s40279-020-01319-3.
   Google Scholar
• Meczekalski B, Podfigurna-Stopa A. 2010. Genetics of premature ovarian failure. Minerva Endocrinol. 35(4):195–209.
   Google Scholar
• Meczekalski B, Podfigurna-Stopa A, Warenik-Szymankiewicz A, Genazzani AR. 2008. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: current view on neuroendocrine aberrations. Gynecol Endocrinol. 24(1):4–11. doi:10.1080/09513590701807381.
   Google Scholar
• Morehen J, Rosimus C, Cavanagh B, Hambly C, Speakman R, Elliott-Sale K, Hannon M, Morton J. 2021. Energy expenditure of female international soccer players: a doubly labelled water investigation. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 54(5):769–779. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002850.
   Google Scholar
• Mountjoy M, Sundgot-Borgen J, Burke L, Ackerman KE, Blauwet C, Constantini N, Lebrun C, Lundy B, Melin A, Meyer N, et al. 2018. International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S): 2018 update. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 28(4):316–331. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0136.
   Google Scholar
• O’Flynn N. 2006. Menstrual symptoms: the importance of social factors in women’s experience. Brit J Gen Pract. 56(533):950–957.
   Google Scholar
• Okholm Kryger K, Wang A, Mehta R, Impellizzeri FM, Massey A, McCall A. 2021. Research on women’s football: a scoping review. Sci Med Footb. 1-10:1–10. doi:10.1080/24733938.2020.1868560.
   Google Scholar
• Owen JA. 1975. Physiology of the menstrual cycle. Am J Clin Nutr. 28(4):333–338. doi:10.1093/ajcn/28.4.333.
   Google Scholar
• Parker LJ, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hannon MP, Morton JP, Close GL. 2021. An audit of hormonal contraceptive use in Women’s Super League soccer players; implications on symptomology. Sci Med Footb. 6(2):153–158. doi:10.1080/24733938.2021.1921248.
   Google Scholar
• Read P, Mehta R, Rosenbloom C, Jobson E, Okholm Kryger K. 2021. Elite female football players’ perception of the impact of their menstrual cycle stages on their football performance. A semi-structured interview-based study. Sci Med Footb. 1–10. Just accepted. doi:10.1080/24733938.2021.2020330.
   Google Scholar
• Robinson MD, Clore GL. 2002. Belief and feeling: evidence for an accessibility model of emotional self-report. Psychol Bull. 128(6):934–60. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.128.6.934.
   Google Scholar
• Saldaña J. 2021. The coding manual for qualitative researchers. London, UK: Sage Publications.
   Google Scholar
• Santer M, Wyke S, Warner P. 2008. Women’s management of menstrual symptoms: findings from a postal survey and qualitative interviews. Soc Sci Med. 66(2):276–288. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.018.
   Google Scholar
• Smith B, McGannon KR. 2018. Developing rigor in qualitative research: problems and opportunities within sport and exercise psychology. Int Rev Sport Exercise Psychol. 11(1):101–121. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2017.1317357.
   Google Scholar
• Smith B and Sparkes A C. (2006). Narrative inquiry in psychology: exploring the tensions within. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(3), 169–192. 10.1191/1478088706qrp068oa
   Google Scholar
• Sparkes AC, Smith B. 2009. Judging the quality of qualitative inquiry: criteriology and relativism in action. Psychol Sport Exerc. 10(5):491–497. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.02.006.
   Google Scholar
• Sparkes AC, Smith B. 2014. Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: from process to product. 1 ed. London, UK: Routledge.
   Google Scholar
• Stewart C, Lord R, Wiltshire G. 2010. Ease of movement and freedom of corporeal expression? Femininity, the body and leotards in trampoline gymnastics. Leisure Stud. 110:63–76.
   Google Scholar
• Viswanathan V, Eugster EA. 2011. Etiology and treatment of hypogonadism in adolescents. Pediatr Clin. 58(5):1181–1200.
   Google Scholar