‘I don’t want to be seen as period prone’: An exploration of psychological strategies used across the menstrual cycle

IF 1.5 4区 教育学 Q3 HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM
Carla Meijen, Emily A. Martin
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Despite increased attention on the menstrual cycle in sport, research has focused largely on physiological changes, with relatively little consideration for fluctuations in psychological responses and coping strategies used in training and competition. This study's primary focus was to explore athlete's coping strategies throughout the menstrual cycle. Participants ( n = 12) took part in a focus group or interview, facilitated by reflections from a diary and mapping exercise. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, generating three themes: Impact of symptoms, coping strategies, and contextual constraints. Participants had increased awareness of physiological over psychological fluctuations, and associated symptoms were considered to impact practicalities of sport and performance. Participants used avoidance, acceptance, and planning to cope with the impact of menstrual symptoms. Coping options were influenced by contextual constraints, including the level of competition and type of sport. The findings showed that some participants lacked menstrual health literacy, especially in relation to psychological fluctuations. Continued efforts to raise awareness around the psychological symptoms of the menstrual cycle and its impact on performance and well-being are needed, not only for the athlete but importantly for the coaching population too. Specifically, consideration of the sporting culture and the space in which athletes feel they can communicate their coping strategies could be pivotal in moving forwards to help develop ‘period pro’ athletes.
我不想被视为经期易感者":探索在整个月经周期中使用的心理策略
尽管人们越来越关注体育运动中的月经周期,但研究主要集中在生理变化上,对训练和比赛中使用的心理反应和应对策略的波动考虑相对较少。本研究的主要重点是探索运动员在整个月经周期中的应对策略。参与者(12 人)参加了焦点小组或访谈,并通过日记和绘图练习进行反思。采用反思性主题分析法对数据进行分析,得出了三个主题:症状的影响、应对策略和环境限制。参与者提高了对生理和心理波动的认识,认为相关症状会影响运动和表现的实际情况。参与者采用回避、接受和计划的方式来应对月经症状的影响。应对方案受到环境制约因素的影响,包括比赛水平和运动类型。研究结果表明,一些参与者缺乏月经健康知识,尤其是与心理波动有关的知识。需要继续努力提高人们对月经周期的心理症状及其对成绩和健康的影响的认识,这不仅是针对运动员,更重要的是针对教练员。特别是,考虑到体育文化以及运动员认为他们可以交流应对策略的空间,这对于培养 "经期专业 "运动员至关重要。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
3.50
自引率
15.80%
发文量
208
期刊介绍: The International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching is a peer-reviewed, international, academic/professional journal, which aims to bridge the gap between coaching and sports science. The journal will integrate theory and practice in sports science, promote critical reflection of coaching practice, and evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about coaching effectiveness and performance enhancement. Open learning systems will be promoted in which: (a) sports science is made accessible to coaches, translating knowledge into working practice; and (b) the challenges faced by coaches are communicated to sports scientists. The vision of the journal is to support the development of a community in which: (i) sports scientists and coaches respect and learn from each other as they assist athletes to acquire skills by training safely and effectively, thereby enhancing their performance, maximizing their enjoyment of the sporting experience and facilitating character development; and (ii) scientific research is embraced in the quest to uncover, understand and develop the processes involved in sports coaching and elite performance.
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