Physical Activity Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

The aim of the “Physical Activity Throughout the Menstrual Cycle” Course is to increase menstrual health literacy related to the practice of physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle for grassroots sports athletes and coaches; through tailored education and awareness-raising tools.

Certifiers:

Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo

Course description

The “Physical Activity Throughout the Menstrual Cycle” course is a comprehensive and free educational program designed for a diverse audience, including athletes, coaches, and other sport professionals. The program addresses the traditionally taboo topic of menstruation by fostering menstrual health literacy and providing evidence-based information. It equips participants with practical knowledge to understand how the menstrual cycle influences physical activity, performance, and overall well-being. The course also aims to enhance communication skills around menstruation in sports settings, ultimately helping to tailor training programs and create more supportive environments for female athletes.

The "Physical Activity Throughout the Menstrual Cycle" course is a comprehensive and free educational program designed for a diverse audience, including athletes, coaches, and other sport professionals. The program addresses the traditionally taboo topic of menstruation by fostering menstrual health literacy and providing evidence-based information. It equips participants with practical knowledge to understand how the menstrual cycle influences physical activity, performance, and overall well-being. The course also aims to enhance communication skills around menstruation in sports settings, ultimately helping to tailor training programs and create more supportive environments for female athletes.

Curriculum

1.1 Course overview, rationale and objectives

1.2 Why the menstrual cycle has been overlooked in sport and science

1.3 Key terminology and concepts: Simple definitions of key terms and menstrual phases

2.1 Physical effects throughout the cycle

2.2 Psychological and cognitive effects

3.1 How to adapt training loads

3.2 Strategies for strength, endurance, and technique training

3.3 Tips to prevent injuries/Influence in injury

3.4 General examples of adjusted training plans for different sports

4.1 The coach's role in normalising the conversation. How to build a safe and open environment.

4.2 Practical communication strategies. Age-appropriate communication: Tailoring the conversation for youth vs. adult athletes.

4.3 Deconstructing common myths and misconceptions about periods and performance. Navigating potential cultural sensitivities with awareness and respect.

4.4 How to actively listen to an athlete's feedback and collaboratively adjust the plan.

5.1 Menstrual cycle monitoring, explaining how it has been done so far

5.2 Introducing the rationale for the development of the app.

5.3 How the app works and how it can help you

Instructors

Germina ČEKANAUSKAITĖ

Project Manager

Lithuanian Football Federation

see profile

Julia DIETZ

PhD Candidate

University of Tübingen

see profile

Rui SILVA‚ PhD

Researcher

Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo

see profile

Tiago RIBEIRO

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Human Kenetics, University of Lisbon

see profile

Yolanda DEMETRIOU‚ PhD

see profile

More info

This course is developed within the framework of “Women Fitness Cycle”, an Erasmus+ project under the coordination of UNIVERSITAS. Women Fitness Cycle aims to research the effects of the menstrual cycle on Physical Activity. It will build European Guidelines for Physical Activity following the Menstrual Cycle, as well as tools and educational content to increase menstrual literacy in the sports sector.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Need more info?

Name

Organization

Role position

Message

acceptance

By submitting your info in the form above, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. We may use this info to contact you and/or use data from third parties to personalize your experience.