As part of our exciting partnership with World Rugby, the organisation has again made significant strides forward in the female game by publishing valuable resources and information related to women's health.
HSBC Rugby Sevens Grand Final
The first women's health assets focus on the impact of the menstrual cycle and breast health and form part of a wider project to develop a hub of informative and educational welfare resources for biologically female players at every level of the sport.
This latest investment reflects the organisation's commitment to the well-being and welfare of female athletes.
Here's an overview of the women's health content now available on the World Rugby website:
Breast Health
Alongside World Rugby’s team of specialists, we have developed an in-depth guide to assist female athletes in understanding the development and changes in their breasts as they mature and how crucial this can be for maintaining good breast health, particularly in a contact sport like rugby.
Girls typically begin to experience breast development between the ages of 7 and 13, and the size and shape of the breasts can continue to change throughout a woman's life, often in correlation with their menstrual cycles. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance for women to familiarise themselves with the unique shape and size of their own breasts and how to properly examine their breasts and identify changes early on.
Through the development of these crucial player wellbeing assets, World Rugby aims to provide a clear guide for women on two key aspects of breast health:
Choosing the right type and the importance of having a properly fitted sports bra
Breast awareness, the importance of regularly checking, screening, and what changes to be aware of, for example, the formation of a lump, or a constant unusual pain.
Managing Periods for Athletes
In addition to changes and issues with breast health, arguably the most difficult challenge for female athletes to navigate in day-to-day life is the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance, preparation and recovery.
Between 40% and 85% of athletes experience symptoms from their period that can negatively affect their training or competition performance. Our new World Rugby period resource provides detailed information on the different phases of the menstrual cycle, common symptoms experienced during each phase, and management strategies to mitigate the impact of these symptoms for athletes. The biggest negative impact that female athletes experience is usually reported within the few days in the lead up to their period and within the first few days of their menstrual cycle.
This newly developed resource emphasises the importance of understanding one's menstrual cycle, tracking symptoms, and seeking professional help if there are any concerns on a day-to-day basis.
As part of our ongoing work with World Rugby to increase the availability of educational assets for female players, Sport Science Agency Director, Alex Skelton, discussed the launch of these informative resources from World Rugby and the importance of investing in the well-being of women in sport.
“At SSA we are passionate about ensuring that every individual has the knowledge that they need to get the most out of their own performance. For female rugby players, understanding their own bodies, and their menstrual cycle is one of the foundations of performance, no matter what level of the sport they compete. It is really exciting to know that these resources will help female rugby players across the world get more out of their rugby”.
Danielle Salmon, Project Lead and Member of the World Rugby Women’s Player Welfare Steering Group said:
“Creating these resources is an important part of our commitment to the welfare of women in rugby and forms part of our mission to provide ongoing education information for all levels of the game. Working with Sport Science Agency has allowed us to utilise their expertise and visualisation experience to deliver resources that are easy to understand and that will inform female rugby players around the world”.
Conclusion
World Rugby's dedication to women's health is evident through the comprehensive information and resources provided on the website and across the organisation. By addressing crucial aspects of female athletes' well-being, the organisation is fostering a supportive environment for women in rugby.
For more detailed information, you can visit the World Rugby Website.