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Reducing lower-limb injuries in netball, particularly anterior cruciate ligament injuries, is a priority. The Accident Compensation Corporation (a no-fault national insurance system) partnered with Netball New Zealand to create the “NetballSmart” injury prevention program. Targeted research informed the successful implementation, dissemination, and adoption of the injury prevention program. Research included a nationwide epidemiological study, video analysis investigating netball injury risk maneuvers, and intervention studies exploring the effectiveness of injury prevention program warm-up resources on physical capability in youth netball. An identified spike in ankle-knee injury incidence of school-age netball players at season start and prior to tournaments along with a high overall prevalence within these ages led to the creation of age-specific educational workshops and resources focused on effective preparation, skill transition, strengthening, and balance. Observational video analysis highlighted behaviors that potentially increased the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury and a progressive landing skills program was developed. The NetballSmart Dynamic Warm-up and Power Warm-up significantly improved player physical capability. Consequently, time to perform the Power Warm-up before all games at a national intermediate school tournament was incorporated into competition-time, reducing workload by 25%. A targeted social media and ambassador endorsement plan increased performance of the NetballSmart Dynamic Warm-up/Power Warm-up by 14% prior to games and 15% before trainings nationally. Accident Compensation Corporation injury data between 2018 and 2022 showed a 6,050 (32%) reduction of all body site and a 2,968 (33%) decrease of combined ankle-knee injury claims. Similarly, by 2021 there was a 11% decrease in fractures/dislocations, a 13% decrease in soft tissue injuries, and a 9% decrease in anterior cruciate ligament surgical repairs. During this delivery period, Accident Compensation Corporation reported that the whole of life returns on investment was NZD$4.10, for every dollar funded to the NetballSmart Injury Prevention Programme.

The increasing trend of females participating in elite and historically male-dominated sports has also resulted in a rise in females performing dynamic warm-ups (DWs). DW is a widely used practice in hockey. However, there is scarce evidence describing how DWs impact subsequent anaerobic performance and whether this response differs between sexes. This study aimed to determine sex differences in anaerobic performance when preceded by a DW. Twenty National Collegiate Athletics Association Division-II hockey players (n = 20, 10 female) completed a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) preceded by a DW or no warm-up in a randomized, counterbalanced order and followed a crossover design. The DW was ∼8 min long and consisted of 13 movements that targeted prime muscles and joints involved in ice skating. The WAnT consisted of a 30-s, maximal effort sprint against 7.5% of the participant’s body mass performed on a cycle ergometer. Peak power output (PPO), relative peak power (RPP), mean anaerobic power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) evaluated anaerobic performance during the WAnT. There were no significant differences between male and female scores following DW. MP was significantly higher in males and females, but PPO, RPP, and FI were not when a DW preceded the WAnT. In both conditions, males had higher PPO and MP than females, while there were no sex differences in RPP and FI. In conclusion, performing a DW before a WAnT improved MP for females and males with no adverse effects on PPO, RPP, and FI. This study suggests that DW might benefit hockey players independently of sex.

As the total distances covered in soccer games have remained relatively constant, the hard running distances (HRDs) covered by players have shown variations due to the higher physical demands and dynamics of team running performances. Although factors affecting the total distances covered in a match are multifactorial, no study has specifically examined match performance indicators (MPIs) that impact HRD. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to better understand how MPIs (hard running efforts, turnovers, minutes played, duels won, duels lost, and pass completions) are associated with HRD and to investigate how each variable contributes to HRD using multiple regression analysis. The study included a sample of 21 female Division I soccer players aged between 18 and 22 years (mean ± SD = 20 ± 1.32 years), all of whom were outfield players: center backs (n = 5), defensive midfielders (n = 4), outside midfielders (n = 5), center-attacking midfielders (n = 4), and center forwards (n = 3). Overall, all MPIs were positively associated (.639 ≤ r ≤ .992) with HRD, yet hard running efforts showed the strongest relationship with HRDs (r = .992). The regression models indicated that all variables contributed to HRD. In particular, hard running effort had the most significant impact (p < .001), implying its dominant influence on HRD compared with other variables. These findings may play a pivotal role in supporting coaches and trainers to better understand the influence of MPIs on HRD. The models developed could help predict a player’s workload related to HRD.

Introduction: There is a substantial amount of sporting dropout in teenage girls worldwide linked, in part, to the menstrual cycle (MC). Firstly, this study aimed to retrospectively quantify the reasons for decreased sport and, or, exercise (sports/exercise) participation during adolescence across different countries. Secondly, this study investigated the prevalence, source, and content of MC education received in relation to sports/exercise. Methods: A survey was distributed via the Strava app to six geographical territories. The survey captured retrospective reasons for changing sports/exercise participation levels during adolescence and the provision, content, and source of MC education received in relation to sports/exercise. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and associations between countries, education, and adolescent participation levels were determined using chi-square analysis (p = .01). Results: Female Strava users (M = 40.8 years, SD = 10.7 years) from six territories completed the survey (n = 10,371). 24.8% of participants decreased their sports/exercise participation during adolescence with the United Kingdom and Ireland (39.7%) and Spain (39.1%) reporting significantly higher decreases than the other countries surveyed, χ²(10)=1,023.77, p ≤ .001. The most common reason for decreased participation was a lack of time (28.0%). 71.1% of participants had not received education. Of those that were educated, the most common source was “self-education” (69.8%) and content was “to keep levels of exercise the same” (29.8%). Conclusions: There is a need for education to be available and easily accessible for girls and women which provides instructions on managing the MC and other commitments alongside sports/exercise, and highlights the many benefits of participating in regular sports/exercise.

Introduction: Running is characterized by high physiological demands with an emphasis on body weight, which may lead to a greater risk of developing low energy availability (LEA) and/or disordered eating (DE). The prevalence of LEA among recreational runners has not been well defined, and this population may lack the ability to distinguish between nutrition resources that are evidence-based or not. Purpose: This study investigated (a) the prevalence of those at risk for LEA, menstrual dysfunction (MD), and risk of DE and (b) compared the risk of DE, training volume, and body weight dissatisfaction between female recreational runners at risk for LEA versus not at risk for LEA. Methods: Female recreational endurance runners (n = 1,923) completed an online questionnaire that included the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire to evaluate LEA risk and MD, and the Disordered Eating Screening Assessment to evaluate DE risk and body weight dissatisfaction. Results: 53.04% of participants are at risk for LEA, 42.5% are at risk for DE, and 61.7% reported MD. Conclusions: The current study suggests that recreational runners are at an increased risk for LEA and DE. Furthermore, DE, MD, training volume, and weight dissatisfaction may be associated with LEA in recreational runners. These findings highlight the need for education and preventative measures around LEA, MD, and DE among recreational female runners.

This study characterized exercise and nutritional strategies being used by women to manage dysmenorrhea. Women with self-reported menstrual pain (N = 182; age, 31.7 ± 8.9 years; 73% premenopausal; 44% contraceptive users; 66% White; 70% non-Hispanic) completed a web-based survey about the presence and severity of menstrual pain, pain management strategies (exercise, medications, nutrition, others), and perceived challenges to using nutrition for pain management. Menstrual pain was reported to be greatest on Day 1 of menstruation (mean: 6.6/10) and was “sometimes” (36%) or “often” (31%) disruptive to exercise. For exercise as a strategy to manage pain, 31% reported improvements, 23% reported no change, and 11% reported worsening of pain. A majority of women reported using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (71%) or other medications to manage pain (sometimes, 25%; often, 21%; always, 25%). Almost half of women (47%) reported using some other method to manage pain (sometimes, 22%; often, 15%; always, 10%), most often heat. Less women (18%) reported using dietary or herbal supplements (sometimes, 7%; often, 7%; always, 4%) or dietary changes (sometimes, 7%; often, 5%; always, 5%). The most common reasons for not using nutrition to manage menstrual pain included not knowing what to buy or what to try, had never tried, and being unsure about supplements. The level of pain women experience with dysmenorrhea is significant and disruptive to exercise participation. However, few women report using nutritional strategies due to being unsure of what to buy or try. Quality studies targeting nutritional menstrual pain management strategies are needed.

Background: This study investigates the physical activity and apparel choices of perinatal women. The perinatal period involves significant anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical changes as the body prepares to carry and deliver a child, and the recovery process which follows. Despite the recognized benefits of physical activity, returning to physical activity postpartum can be difficult. Methods: One hundred and six postpartum women completed an online questionnaire exploring women’s physical activity habits before, during, and after pregnancy, along with their use of activewear/compression garments during this time. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, investigated the relationship between initiation of physical activity postpartum (by and after 12 weeks) and: delivery method (vaginal, c-section, and assisted), perineal trauma, activewear purchase, and prepregnancy activity level. Thematic analysis was applied to identify themes from participant’s answers. Results: A vaginal delivery correlated with a higher likelihood of resuming physical activity within 12 weeks postpartum. Moreover, a high level of activity prepregnancy was associated with a high level of physical activity postpartum. The study identified key reasons for the cessation of physical activity during pregnancy including discomfort, tiredness, and misinformation. Barriers hindering the return to physical activity postpartum included discomfort, misinformation, and time constraints. Few participants used compression garments in the postpartum period, with the majority leveraging them to alleviate pain (71%). Conclusions: This study highlights a crucial gap in utilization of compression garments during the postpartum period. Understanding these factors is pivotal in enhancing support for postpartum women in their pursuit of resuming physical activity.

Background: Women, particularly those with young children, engage in less leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) than men. Additionally, mothers living in rural areas have more difficulty participating in LTPA than those in urban areas. The aim of this study was to analyze the challenges faced by mothers of rural areas of Gipuzkoa in LTPA participation, from a feminist perspective. Methods: A total of 129 mothers (age 41.5 ± 5.9; 45.7% inactive) with young children completed the Gipuzkoa Women’s Physical Activity Questionnaire. Concurrently, four focus groups were organized in four different municipalities, in which 19 mothers of young children participated (13 were inactive). Barriers were classified based on the socioecological perspective. Results: The most frequently mentioned intrapersonal barriers were lack of time due to work and caregiving, age-/pregnancy-/motherhood-related health issues, and a feeling of rejection toward LTPA. The most relevant interpersonal barriers were a lack of partners to do LTPA with and a lack of spouse support. The main environmental barriers were related to the shortage of facilities and activities suited to their needs and the rugged terrain. Conclusions: Mothers of young children living in rural areas face barriers twice over: because they are women and mothers and because they live in a rural environment. It therefore seems important to consider their perceived barriers to design, develop, and implement strategies to promote LTPA among this population group.

Introduction: The present scientific consensus is that the menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraceptive (HC) cycle only influence performance trivially. Nevertheless, athletes perceive changes in performance that they associate with different phases of their hormonal cycle. Methods: A total of 959 female athletes completed a questionnaire, of which 750 were included in the present analysis. The questionnaire included questions about demographics and experiences of the MC and HC (symptoms, perceived impact on performance characteristics). Results: In total, 55% of athletes reported a natural MC while 45% reported HC use. Meanwhile, 56% of all athletes reported a decline in perceived performance during the bleeding or inactive phase, whereas 26% of all athletes reported no changes in performance over their hormonal cycle. All athletes reported an average of 10 ± 7 symptoms during hormonal cycles. The naturally menstruating (NM) group reported more symptoms than the HC group (p < .05). The most frequent symptoms reported were abdominal pain, bloating, and mood swings. Only 7% of all athletes (4.1% in NM and 11.3% in HC) reported an absence of any symptoms. Quantity of total symptoms was associated with a perceived decrease in performance (R ² = .138, p < .05). Hormonal cycles had the greatest negative effect on mental performance with 37% reporting a large to very large effect. Conclusions: Perceived negative effects on performance were similar in both NM and HC groups while perceived mental performance (e.g., mood and attention) appeared to be most affected by both MC and HC.