Lions use app to design training according to players’ menstrual cycle

How women’s menstrual cycle affects AFL performance – Brisbane Lions use app to design training according to players’ time of the month

  • Female footy players are tracking their periods against their performance 
  • Brisbane Lions are hoping the data will increase odds of a win at AFL premiership
  • The  coach is modifying their training schedule and diet based off results 

Over the years, AFL teams have used just about all possible methods to get a competitive edge on opponents and now there’s another to add to the list: menstrual cycles.

The Lions’ AFLW team has been using a tracking app to monitor how different stages of the players’ monthly cycle could help them clinch the premiership.

They’re hoping it will help them get an upper hand on their competition while minimising potential injury in the AFL Women’s League.

The strategy coincides with attempts by Griffith University Professor Clare Minahan to dispel the myth it’s normal for elite level athletes to lose their periods, reports ABC News.

The Brisbane Lions have been using a tracking app to monitor how different stages of their monthly cycle could help them clinch the premiership

Behind the Lions’ unusual training strategy is the effort to prevent players falling prey to the Female Athlete Triad.

The Triad is a combination of low energy, menstrual dysfunction and low bone density and can severely impact on performance.

But other ways they’re using the data is by monitoring energy levels against the players cycles and modifying their training schedules and diets to adapt when levels are lower.

The Queensland team have been keeping track of their menstrual cycles since the women's league first launched three years ago

The Queensland team have been keeping track of their menstrual cycles since the women’s league first launched three years ago

Players input their data into an app called ‘Edge10’ which is a healthcare tracking system for elite athletes that monitors sleep, wellbeing, and gym results.

The Brisbane Lions have specifically tailored the app to include their menstruation cycles.

Each day players need to update the app with information about what point they’re at in their cycle and how they felt during training.

Brisbane Lions Coach Matt Green told ABC News they’re adapting the way they train the players based off their cycles.

‘So when are the right times to be pushing recovery? When are the right times to be eating certain foods that will aid with limiting bloating and aiding in fatigue and all of those different types of things?’ he said.

Players input their data into an app called 'Edge10' which is a healthcare tracking system for elite athletes that monitors sleep, wellbeing, and gym results

Players input their data into an app called ‘Edge10’ which is a healthcare tracking system for elite athletes that monitors sleep, wellbeing, and gym results

Periods have always been a common topic of conversation in the women’s locker-room, but the latest move has normalised the concept among even the male coaches.

Brisbane Lion’s player Lauren Arnell said there is always someone talking about it.

‘If anything you hear about it all the time at training. With 30 players, it’s probably one in four that’s going to have their period each session,’ she said.

‘In terms of the impact on the training, a lot of the time, it’s really just if it’s affecting you heavily, you can have conversations and training may be monitored and altered.’

Brisbane Lion's player Lauren Arnell said there is always someone talking about menstrual cycles during training

Brisbane Lion’s player Lauren Arnell said there is always someone talking about menstrual cycles during training

Meanwhile Griffith University Professor Clare Minahan said there needs to be a greater understanding among women about the role their menstrual cycle plays in their performance.

A myth is still floating around when you have your period you are not performing at your best.

But she said this idea is false, as hormones are actually at their lowest during menstruation and have the least impact on their performance.  

At the same time the AFL Women’s league is looking at whether the plague of severe injuries in the competition could be caused by the menstrual cycles of players.

Adelaide Crows superstar Erin Phillips is one of the league’s prominent players who have suffered serious injuries since last season.

AFLW football chief Nicole Livingstone said the league were keen to investigate whether there was a correlation between a season-ending injury and the menstrual cycle.

They will work with researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne to see if there is a link between the two.

At the same time the AFL Women's league is looking at whether the plague of severe injuries in the competition could be caused by the menstrual cycles of players

At the same time the AFL Women’s league is looking at whether the plague of severe injuries in the competition could be caused by the menstrual cycles of players

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk