Monthly Archives: May 2018

Women have approximately 457 menstrual cycles in their lifetime, corresponding to around 35 years of menstrual activity, writes Dr Jacky Forsyth – who works in the centre for Sport, Health and Exercise Research at Staffordshire University.

For a woman, therefore, the menstrual cycle pervades their reproductive life. And for the exercising female, the menstrual cycle may affect aspects of their exercise performance. This could be because of blood flow and severe abdominal cramps interfering with engagement in certain activities, or because excessive exercise and dietary restriction lead to a complete absence of the menstrual cycle.

Menstruation is often still considered taboo, and something that is mocked, or considered frivolous (Kissling, 2006). It is important, however, to keep talking about and

This year’s Women in Sport and Exercise Conference: Blood, Sweat and Fears will take place at Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent on 13th and 14th June.

The aim of the conference is to debate the female-specific health and medical issues arising from physical activity and sport, and to raise awareness of the issues and opportunities for women’s exercise participation.

There will be two REPs CPD points available for those who attend.

Conference keynotes come from Annamarie Phelps CBE OLY, Vice Chair of the British Olympic Association and an advocate for safe and inclusive sport for all; Angela Smith, who was instrumental in the formation of the women's squash professional organisation and circuit; and