New research from PhD student, Sarah Lampard, has examined how effectively menstrual health education resources are reaching elite female athletes.
“Despite its importance, knowledge of menstrual health among athletes at all levels of competition is poor and performance support staff often lack the knowledge and confidence to discuss menstrual health with athletes,” she says.
To address this knowledge gap, the Australian Institute of Sport's Female Performance and Health Initiative developed five free online education modules, designed by medical and academic experts with input from elite athletes and coaches.
Sarah's study evaluated awareness and use of the modules among elite female athletes and performance support staff.
The findings revealed that just 23% of athletes and 67% of staff were aware of the modules. Of those who were aware, approximately one-third of athletes and staff had completed at least one module.
Participants who used the modules also reported improvements in menstrual health knowledge, while 69% of staff reported increased confidence.
Sarah says the findings suggest that current approaches to promoting the modules have been largely ineffective in reaching athletes directly.
“Regular promotion through preferred communication channels could help improve awareness and uptake, ensuring elite female athletes have access to timely and relevant menstrual health information,” she says.
“All performance support staff working with elite female athletes should know how to access menstrual health resources and communicate confidently and accurately about menstrual health with athletes or colleagues.”
