Title: Training Load, Menstrual Patterns, Recovery, and Stress’ Interrelation and Impact on the Performance of Elite Female Swimmers
Supervisor: Dr. Eli Puterman
Committee members: Dr. Cameron Mitchell, Dr. Margo Mountjoy
Abstract: The female menstrual cycle is evidenced to change in response to physical and psychological stress and low energy availability (LEA), and therefore has the potential to be a built-in wellness metric for female athletes. Despite the significant number of female athletes currently in sport, the menstrual cycle’s potential use as a load monitoring tool remains relatively unknown and therefore underutilized. The proposed study will explore the interrelation between and impact of menstrual patterns, various forms of load (internal and external), and wellness metrics (perceived stress, soreness and sleep) have on the swim performance of elite female athletes over the course of the varsity season.