HWiPS programme lead, Dr Sue Robson, says the outcomes have been a collaborative effort across HPSNZ and the wider community. “I want to acknowledge the input from a range of other stakeholders across the high performance sector including tertiary institutions and NSOs.”
Two of the initiatives are a first, including the new Athlete Performance Library and athlete education infographics, especially for women’s health.
In addition, HPSNZ has announced a new research partnership with the University of Canterbury and the Matatū (Super Rugby Aupiki franchise) which aims to break new ground for women in sport.
“Having a trusted, online environment that can link to our own New Zealand information and to other great sources of information from around the world is important. And now we will also be able to link into GAFA, the Global Alliance for Female Athletes, announced last month,” says Sue.
Another first for New Zealand high performance sport is creating a positive first approach around the learnings associated with the menstrual cycle.
“There is a fundamental and important shift away from seeing the menstrual cycle as ‘just periods’ and a list of symptoms and problems associated with them,” says Sue.
“We now talk about a healthy menstrual cycle, the overall health benefits our female sex hormones have on our body over time, and recognising early warning signs and actions. This provides women with knowledge, confidence and a voice to enable them to make their own choices.”
Dual rowing and cycling Olympian and an Olympic mum, Jaime Nielsen says harnessing your monthly patterns is part of identifying limitations.
“This helps us understand what we physiologically do when we are racing and whether we struggle with cadence, power and so on.
“Usually there’s something in a race that causes you to slow down and I’d say maybe try looking with that lens through your cycle and think where could I improve here.”
Sue and her team aim to ensure athletes can access the new resources easily. “The infographics are shortly coming to coffee tables, walls and in toilets. We are using social media and some are already available online through our Athlete Performance Library pilot.”
A series of HWiPS athlete story videos is being produced and will be shared through the Athlete Performance Library.
The HWiPS project team has developed the resources in collaboration with many stakeholders across the sector says Sue.
“The whole project has been an interesting and enjoyable experience. I’ve learnt a lot, especially working with Maka Royal and the Rautaki Māori team, and would like to give a special shout out to our Māori advisor Victoria Grant who has helped me navigate the bicultural lens with her experience in coaching, physiotherapy and teaching Māori practice.”
Transitioning awareness into deeper and meaningful change is the next step for the HWiPS project team. “We will work with the HPSNZ coaching team, coaches and athletes to develop workshops through engagement,” says Sue.
Link to the Athlete Performance Library
Link to HWiPS strategy Strategy
The joint research project between the University of Canterbury, the Matatū (Super Rugby Aupiki franchise) and HPSNZ aims to shed critical light on an overlooked area of sports science – the impact of female health hormones on athletic recovery and performance.
Check out the media release and short video on the research to find out more.
