The purpose of the research project is to explore the experiences of female athletes, coaches and their support staff regarding sports performance, pain and menstrual cycle/contraceptives.
The study objectives are to explore the experiences and perspectives of female athletes, physiotherapists, coaches and support staff regarding pain, injury and performance and ovarian hormone profiles. (menstruation, contraceptive pill etc.)
This study will involve a brief (10-15 minute) online questionnaire as well as the option to engage in a 1-hour focus group with other female athletes, coaches and support staff or physiotherapists. This study is open to all female athletes aged 18 and over, including retired female athletes. Coaches and supports staff and physiotherapists with three years of experience or greater working with female athletes are eligible to participate.
This study wants to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders; Female athletes, their coaches, support staff and physiotherapists with relation to pain, performance and the menstrual cycle and/or hormonal contraceptives. We wish to explore the impact of female specific contextual factors on the both the sensory and emotional aspects of pain and how these interact with performance, training and competition. We hope this study will act as a springboard towards increasing the knowledge and awareness of female athlete specific considerations as they relate to pain and performance in sport.