The menstrual cycle-athletic performance relationship among Rugby Union players

Centre for Health and Development (CHAD)

The PhD will build on existing research carried out in women’s rugby to carry out an intervention, using individualised data on menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use, to improve performance, training and health for rugby players.

There has been substantial growth in women’s rugby, in terms of professionalisation and popularity, which has sparked some interest in research. In a recent scoping review and Delphi consensus study, female health, in particular menstrual cycle, was deemed a future research priority by the expert stakeholders. There has been research in this area previously. For instance, the prevalence of contraceptive use, and symptoms associated with use and non-use in women’s rugby has been examined.

In interviews with elite women rugby players, symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle were perceived to negatively impact training and to be ‘endured’ or tolerated when competing. Individually tracking the menstrual cycle has been found to improve menstrual cycle knowledge and understanding, and has been used to identify hormonal-related effects on physical performance, muscle strength and adaptation, muscle injury incidence and energy metabolism. The aim of this PhD is to review what other teams (nationally and internationally) have done with their menstrual cycle tracking data to implement change. Individualised data will be gathered and mapped to determine associations with performance, training and health. A quasi-experimental intervention will be implemented, based on the data collected. 

Funding

This PhD is offered on a self-funded basis

Details of all postgraduate fees and funding can be found here
(Fees and finance - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)

Course requirements

MSc in Sport and Exercise Science (or a related subject) – Desired

Experience of undertaking physiological monitoring tests in the lab and field – Essential

Experience of working in women’s sport – Desired

How to apply

To apply for a self-funded PhD, please complete the Enquiry Form and clearly indicate which PhD project you are interested in. 

Apply now
Start dates
Friday 30 June 2023
Saturday 30 September 2023
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021