Menstruation matters for participation in sport and active recreation
Around three-quarters of females have missed participating in sport because of their periods. A new project aims to understand why, and what can be done about it.
Menstruation is a natural bodily function experienced by females, but it remains highly stigmatised, and has consequently received very little attention in sport and exercise.
Dr Rhiannon Snipe is leading a Victorian Government Change Our Game project to support women and girls’ participation in sport and active recreation by implementing strategies targeting barriers associated with menstruation.
Her research will identify what the barriers are, and the population groups, sports and types of exercise that are most affected by menstruation.
The first phase of the study explores the influence of periods on sport and active recreation participation via a survey of physically active Australian females (based on identity as assigned at birth).
Phase two involves working with an advisory group comprised of sport and recreation representatives and participants, to co-design strategies to overcome barriers to participation.
The final phase includes implementation and testing the feasibility and useability of these strategies.
“The majority of females have missed participating in sport or physical activity due to periods,” Dr Snipe said.
“But there is still a lack of research exploring why and what can be done to support participation.”
Dr Snipe said this research would be particularly important to help reduce the disproportionate decline in female sport participation during adolescence.
