In sports, it is not uncommon not to be physically at 100 percent. For example, the next morning after a fun team evening, during which a few more beers were drunk. You don't feel fit, your head and legs are slower than usual and especially your opponent. It is precisely this feeling — of not achieving actual physical performance — that players have every month during their periods.
The female cycle is regulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which influence both mood and performance. To understand the process of the organism, you have to take a look at the four individual phases. The folicular phase (egg maturation phase), ovulation (ovulation), menstruation (menstrual period) and finally the luteal phase (luteal phase).
We discuss this in detail in our blog about gender-specific injuries.
But how does a woman deal with something like that? Pretend for a week that everything is normal and hope that the trainer doesn't notice it... not a particularly good solution. Lina Magull, Laura Vetterlein and Julia Simic, brand ambassadors of B42 and initiators of “Play for her”, have shared their experiences with us.
An uncoordinated step at the wrong moment, it makes a popping or popping sound, the cruciate ligament is torn. Recently, for example, Bayern player Giulia Gwinn and Wolfsburg Alex Popp were out of action for months. When female soccer players have to deal with serious injuries, it is often no coincidence...
Laura Vetterlein, FC Zurich player, reports: “Serious injuries have just happened during the period.” Former national player Julia Simic has also had similar experiences. “I noticed from other players that serious injuries, such as torn cruciate ligaments, have just occurred shortly before or during menstruation.” The first half of the cycle in particular seems to be a critical time for suffering a serious injury. Estrogen levels alter the strength of ligament structures and reduce joint stability. There are imbalances in the body as the range of motion and the ability to contract is limited.
One of the few studies available shows that endurance performance is also reduced and that players are unable to be in top shape on the pitch for 90 minutes.
Hardly any research and few testimonials — but an essential factor for every female athlete: Menstruation in the context of soccer is unfortunately still a taboo subject in some cases. If you follow the experiences of Lina Magull, Laura Vetterlein and Julia Simic closely, you get the impression that professional sport is gradually opening up to this topic.
The captain of FC Bayern Munich, Lina Magull, gives a brief insight into her daily routine. Already early in the morning, players are asked about their physical well-being using a questionnaire — including menstruation. As a result, each player's training is individually controlled and adjusted. Magull also reports about the menstrual phase that you feel tired and are more muscularly vulnerable, which has a negative effect on performance.
Lina Magull and Laura Vetterlein report positive experiences in training management and the existing acceptance within the coaching team. Julia Simic, on the other hand, cannot report any significant individual adjustment of training management from her active professional career. However, she also reports that it is often “ignorance rather than misunderstanding.”
“I never stopped when I wasn't feeling so well.” I know from other players that this feeling of pain was suppressed with pills so that no training or game was missed. ”
Of course, this has an influence on performance and physical control. A process in the body that is overplayed by painkillers.
It remains to be noted that awareness of positive and negative effects must be established when it comes to menstruation and soccer. Players must be informed about opportunities and potential, as well as restrictions and dangers.
Amateur players also need this support. For this reason, a menstrual mode was built into the B42 training programs.
Lina Magull regards this mode as very useful: “It is simply a fact when you deal with it and know your body yourself that it needs a specially adapted and controlled training plan precisely during the menstrual period. ”
That is exactly why B42 provides you with advice and assistance with individual training management during this phase.
In Germany, there is increasing talk about the issue of performance during the period, but this is still a grey area, with few to no solutions. Development is heading in the right direction, but the range of offers is still fairly manageable at present.
Attention and sensitivity to the topic has increased, so that B42 gives you the opportunity to train individually and depending on the cycle with menstrual mode. We want to focus on women and not “leave you out in the rain.” The first step towards an individual mode has been taken, which is intensified and expanded step-by-step. We too are still at the beginning of the topic and are constantly evolving. But we're here for you!
Be fearless. Be focused. B42
ALWAYS STAY FIT AND EFFICIENT! With the B42 app for soccer players.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
