Authors Names and affiliations:

Kylie Cox, The Healthy Athlete Project, Christchurch, New Zealand

Sharon Kearney, NetballSmart, Netball New Zealand, Christchurch, New Zealand

TITLE: 

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND FEMALE ATHLETE HEALTH: A STUDY OF AMATEUR NETBALL PLAYERS IN NEW ZEALAND.

PURPOSE: This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of young amateur netballers on the menstrual cycle as one indicator of female player health.   The perceived effects of the menstrual cycle on players’ sport performance were noted, as were the current dialogues on menstrual cycle-related issues within amateur netball.  The aim was to use the data to guide development of the first community based educational resource supporting female netball player health in New Zealand. 

METHOD:  Amateur female netball players (n=76) aged 14-44 from New Zealand completed an anonymous online survey.  The survey addressed general health, menstrual health, and sporting injury histories and gained insights on knowledge of the menstrual cycle and understanding of links with health markers (e.g., bone health, injury risk, relationship with nutrition).  Individuals’ perceived effects of their menstrual cycle on performance were reported as well as experiences of conversations surrounding the menstrual cycle within netball.

RESULTS:  Self-reported signs of menstrual irregularity (≤ 9 cycles per year) were reported in 32% of players, however only 4% reported clinically diagnosed menstrual dysfunction.  

Sixty-four percent of athletes felt their menstrual cycle was negatively affecting sporting performance yet changes to training practices remain largely unchanged (88%).

Almost half of respondents (44%) felt they had had no exposure to information regarding optimal female athlete health, highlighted in a lack of knowledge regarding links between the menstrual cycle and health markers; namely, bone health, injury risk, and the inverse relationship with nutrition.

Barriers to communication on menstrual cycle related issues remain, with players citing embarrassment (34%), perception of poor staff knowledge (19%) or stigma (19%).  

CONCLUSION:  The menstrual cycle and female health related issues remain largely undiscussed within amateur netball, and changes to players’ menstrual cycles are under-reported to medical professionals. Education and awareness on the importance of the menstrual cycle as a wider barometer of health is a priority.  National Sporting Organisations have a responsibility to develop resources for coaches, female players, whanau, and support staff which create behavior change and open dialogues in female player health management. 

In conjunction with Netball New Zealand and NetballSmart, thesis data was used in the development of a nationwide community educational resource, SmartHealth.  

Disclosure(s): Sharon Kearney has an affiliation with Netball New Zealand as Netball New Zealand Lead Physiotherapist & with NetballSmart as NetballSmart Consultant.