Players' Periods: the impact on quality

Some men may cringe and refer to a woman’s period as ‘that time of the month’ but England Women manager, Phil Neville has today said that his team’s training routines will be tailored to their menstrual cycles.

This comes following the team recruiting a new physical performance manager, Dawn Scott. She moved from the World Cup-winning USA side back to England at the end of 2019.

Her approach to menstrual tracking has been praised as playing a key part in America's World Cup victory last summer.

How do periods affect footballers?

Last week, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes revealed they have been designing players’ individual plans around the phases of their menstrual cycle since the start of the 2019-2020 season. This is in an attempt to help control possible weight fluctuations and to lower the chance of soft tissue injuries. The Blues are the first team to take this action.

Chelsea finished third last season and are in the title-race now. (Photo: Chelsea FC)

A lot of women’s training programmes have been designed around what is effective for men but due to physical differences, this may not be what is best for women.

A 2016 study showed that more than half of professional female athletes say their hormones during their menstrual cycle affected their training and performances.

There is also ongoing research into the link between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and the menstrual cycle. ACL injuries may be more prone to tearing when joints are flexible. Oestrogen - a hormone released during menstruation - can increase this flexibility.

As well as physical health, hormone fluctuations can also affect a whole range of psychological functions. Players have reported being less emotionally stable at certain times in their cycle.

Has it been done before?

Other sports have been using tracking methods for years in order to maximise the effects of training. The women’s hockey team that competed in the 2012 Olympics used an app to track their periods.

Screenshot from Clue app

The British Athletics board have also been on hand to talk to athletes about their menstrual cycles.

England and Lyon left-back, Alex Greenwood, also uses the app personally. She says this helps her discuss issues with club doctors.

How do women compete on their periods?

Painkillers - and lots of them.

Given that every woman’s body works differently, there isn’t a blanket cure beyond painkillers to numb the symptoms.

‘The pill’ and other contraceptives help some and hinder others.

Some players have had to leave the pitch due to cramps and others have admitted to not playing to their full potential.

Perhaps this will change as this tracking and training routines develop.

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You don't have to be a professional athlete to use tracking apps and there are plenty in the app store.

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