Mary-Ann Moller invites us to her presentation of her research, Riding with Flow: Menstrual Health in World Cup and World Championship Mountain Bikers. This will be a 30-minute presentation followed by Q&A at Rugby League Park, Hall Street, Newtown.

Menstrual health is an indicator of overall health and is an important aspect of female athlete physiology. Menstrual disturbances can have long term health consequences and are most likely related to high training volumes, disordered eating, and low energy availability. The aim of this research was to report the menstrual health status of female World Cup and World Championship Mountain Bikers with a specific focus on: 1) menstrual disturbances; 2) hormonal contraceptive use; 3) menstrual cycle symptomology and period characteristics.

It is hoped that this research helps to normalise conversations on the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use and helps to shift the thinking around periods being a “problem” to instead being a part of what makes an athlete healthy and able to perform at her best. Insights from this research may benefit female mountain bikers at both an elite and non-elite level, coaches, support staff, parents, athletes and support staff in other sports, the wider sporting community and the scientific community.

Contact: Mary-Ann Moller 022 047 6650/maryann@maryannmoller.com for any further information.

Location

Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand