#70 - The Female Athlete: What Physios Need to Know

In this episode with Dr Jane Thornton we discuss what the latest evidence says about adapting training advice for the menstrual cycle of women and oral contraceptives and whether the menstrual cycle affects injury risk. We also cover the role of sleep and injury risk, and how this can be affected across the lifespan for women specifically due to hormones. Finally we cover the gaps in the research around specific populations of women e.g. during pregnancy and why this is a difficult topic to study. Dr. Thornton is a Canadian Research Chair and Clinician Scientist specialising in long-term athlete health, female athlete health, and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, with cross appointments in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and School of Kinesiology.  If you like the podcast, it would mean the world if you're happy to leave us a rating or a review. It really helps!Our host is @James_Armstrong_Physio from Physio Network