How Does Rugby Use Cramp Cocktails and Apps to Track the Fifth Vital Sign?

As the Women's Rugby World Cup unfolds, female athletes are increasingly managing their menstrual cycles to maintain peak performance. Understanding how periods can impact athletic ability is essential for teams, leading to tailored training and nutrition strategies. By tracking these cycles, players can better navigate challenges like fatigue and cramping, allowing them to compete effectively.

Last updated: 25 October 2023 (BST)

Key Takeaways

• Understanding menstrual cycles can enhance performance in female athletes.
• Tracking periods helps teams adapt training and nutrition strategies.
• Physical symptoms related to menstrual cycles can affect focus and energy levels.
• Innovative tracking methods include apps and questionnaires to monitor wellness.
• Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing menstrual symptoms.

The Importance of Menstrual Cycle Tracking in Sports

In the realm of women's sports, understanding and tracking menstrual cycles is becoming increasingly vital. Athletes like Erica Jarrell-Searcy, who plays for the USA women's rugby team, highlight the significance of managing menstrual health to optimise performance. Teams are now employing various strategies to ensure players can compete without the adverse effects of their cycles.

Why Menstrual Health Matters in Rugby

Periods can bring about a range of symptoms including fatigue, cramps, and hormonal fluctuations. These can significantly impact an athlete's strength, endurance, and overall focus. According to the BBC's Elite British Sportswomen's Study 2024, 88 out of 143 surveyed athletes reported that their performance was affected by their periods, with many missing training or competitions altogether.

Recognising these challenges, teams are now taking steps to monitor players' menstrual health carefully. Abi Okell, a former player and the lead rugby physio at Sale Sharks Women, describes the menstrual cycle as "the fifth vital sign of a female," alongside temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. This perspective reinforces the idea that a regular cycle is indicative of overall health, allowing players to perform at their best.

How Teams are Adapting to Menstrual Cycles

To manage the effects of menstruation, teams are implementing systematic tracking methods. Players fill out daily questionnaires regarding their mood, soreness, and overall wellbeing. This data is crucial for coaches and medical staff to tailor training programmes accordingly. For instance, during the menstrual phase, teams might reduce training intensity, incorporate more mobility sessions, or adjust nutritional plans.

Innovative Tracking Methods

Different teams employ various methods to track menstrual cycles effectively. The Welsh women's rugby team, for example, uses Vodafone's Connect app, which combines GPS tracking with data on menstrual phases and physical wellbeing. Players answer daily monitoring questions, providing vital insights into their health and performance.

Additionally, saliva tests can measure oestrogen levels, indicating when ovulation occurs, which is essential for understanding hormonal changes throughout the cycle. As Jarrell-Searcy notes, tracking these metrics not only helps in performance but also signals overall health.

Nutrition and Menstrual Health

Nutritional adjustments are equally important when managing menstrual symptoms. Clubs often employ nutritionists who analyse tracking data to ensure athletes receive adequate nutrients, particularly before, during, and after their periods. For instance, increasing carbohydrate intake can help combat fatigue and ensure energy levels are maintained during training.

Moreover, players may take supplements to replenish vitamins and minerals lost during menstruation. Okell emphasises that the nutritional needs of female athletes differ significantly from their male counterparts, requiring tailored approaches to their diets and overall health.

Managing Symptoms Effectively

For athletes experiencing painful cramps, teams have developed remedies like 'Sylvia's Cramp Cocktail', a blend of vitamins and minerals designed to alleviate discomfort. Jarrell-Searcy explains how this mixture helps her train by providing relief just in time for her sessions.

Despite the challenges menstruation can present, players like Jarrell-Searcy maintain that the game goes on. "A bleed is not going to make or break you as an athlete," she asserts, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of female athletes in the face of these natural cycles.

Injury Risks and the Menstrual Cycle

While some speculate that certain phases of the menstrual cycle might increase injury risk, current research does not establish a direct causal relationship between menstrual cycles and injuries. Okell mentions that players may subconsciously alter their movement patterns due to anxiety about potential leaks, which could inadvertently raise their injury risk.

To combat these concerns, Okell advocates for a supportive environment where players do not feel restricted by their menstrual symptoms. This approach encourages athletes to maintain their performance levels without fear of judgement or reduced capacity.

The Future of Menstrual Tracking in Women's Sports

As the understanding of menstrual health in sports continues to evolve, the focus on personalised care is becoming more prominent. Teams are increasingly recognising that menstrual cycles can influence training and performance, leading to a comprehensive support system for female athletes.

With ongoing research and innovation in tracking methods, the future looks promising. By normalising discussions around menstrual health, teams can empower athletes to manage their cycles effectively, enhancing performance and wellbeing.

Conclusion

The integration of menstrual cycle tracking into women's rugby signifies a growing recognition of female athletes' unique health needs. By understanding and accommodating these cycles, teams can optimise training, nutrition, and overall performance. As more athletes share their experiences, the stigma surrounding menstruation in sports is gradually diminishing, paving the way for future generations.

How can teams further innovate to support female athletes during their menstrual cycles? #WomensRugby #MenstrualHealth #AthleteWellness

FAQs

How does the menstrual cycle affect athletic performance?

The menstrual cycle can impact energy levels, strength, focus, and recovery due to hormonal fluctuations. Many athletes report variations in performance based on their cycle phases.

What are some methods used to track menstrual cycles in sports?

Teams may use apps, daily questionnaires, and physiological tests to monitor players’ menstrual health and adapt training and nutrition accordingly.

Are there specific nutritional needs for female athletes during their period?

Yes, female athletes may require increased carbohydrates and certain vitamins to support energy levels and replace nutrients lost during menstruation.

Can menstrual health tracking help prevent injuries?

While tracking menstrual health does not directly prevent injuries, it can help athletes manage their training loads and adapt exercises to reduce the risk of injury.

What is 'Sylvia's Cramp Cocktail'?

'Sylvia's Cramp Cocktail' is a mixture of vitamins and minerals designed to alleviate menstrual cramps, helping athletes train more comfortably during their periods.