Menstrual cycle & Rehabilitation: Perceptions of sports physiotherapists and female recreational athletes

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q1 REHABILITATION

Physical Therapy in Sport Pub Date : 2025-09-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-13 DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.08.002

Eline Peterse , Caroline Bolling

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

We explored the perceptions of female recreational athletes and sports physiotherapists regarding the integration of the menstrual cycle (MC) in the physiotherapeutic process.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

Online semi-structured interviews.

Participants

Nine Dutch sports physiotherapists working in primary care settings and eight female recreational athletes.

Main outcome measures

Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The relationship between rehabilitation and the MC was recognized despite the lack of knowledge, considering symptoms and effects, and acknowledged the potential need to adjust treatment. To talk about MC, participants perceived communication challenges, such as the taboo, the influence of the gender of the health professionals and reinforced the need to normalize the conversations. For MC to be integrated in practice, participants acknowledged the need for more knowledge and resources, a clear purpose when discussing and considering the MC in rehabilitation, and the need for research to guide practice.

Conclusion

The menstrual health of athletes is not yet integrated into the physiotherapeutic process, despite the recognized importance. Improving communication, knowledge, and research are key to making this topic more openly discussed and allowing more person-centred care, as any adaptation should be tailored to individual experiences and symptoms.

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月经周期与康复：运动物理治疗师与女性休闲运动员的认知

目的探讨女性休闲运动员和运动物理治疗师在生理治疗过程中对月经周期的认知。DesignQualitative研究。在线半结构化面试。参与者：在初级保健机构工作的9名荷兰运动物理治疗师和8名女性休闲运动员。主要结果测量访谈录音、转录，并使用专题分析进行分析。结果在缺乏相关知识的情况下，考虑到症状和效果，认识到康复与MC之间的关系，并承认可能需要调整治疗。在谈到MC时，参与者认识到沟通方面的挑战，如禁忌、卫生专业人员性别的影响，并强调需要使对话正常化。要将管委会融入实践，与会者认为需要更多的知识和资源，在讨论和考虑管委会在康复中的作用时需要有明确的目标，以及需要研究来指导实践。结论运动员的月经健康虽被公认为重要，但尚未融入到物理治疗过程中。改善沟通、知识和研究是使这一主题更公开讨论和允许更多以人为本的护理的关键，因为任何适应都应根据个人经历和症状进行调整。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physical Therapy in Sport 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

8.30%

发文量

125

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Physical Therapy in Sport is an international peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for the publication of research and clinical practice material relevant to the healthcare professions involved in sports and exercise medicine, and rehabilitation. The journal publishes material that is indispensable for day-to-day practice and continuing professional development. Physical Therapy in Sport covers topics dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries, as well as more general areas of sports and exercise medicine and related sports science. The journal publishes original research, case studies, reviews, masterclasses, papers on clinical approaches, and book reviews, as well as occasional reports from conferences. Papers are double-blind peer-reviewed by our international advisory board and other international experts, and submissions from a broad range of disciplines are actively encouraged.