BJSM E-edition: Female athlete health

Several of the BJSM editorial team attended the excellent 2019 Isokinetic Conference in London this past April. One inspiring session at the conference focused specifically on the latest research in female sport. We heard a call for an increase in the number of published female-specific sports research studies. As the old saying goes “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”, therefore if we have gender differences we need to review the effectiveness of interventions (e.g. prevention programs) and whether they differ between the genders. This was discussed on the BJSM podcast last year by Jacky Forsyth and is included in our e-edition. Given the additional excitement generated by this year’s FIFA women’s world cup we have included some of the most recent papers on concussion and ACL risks in female athletes. We highlight the inspirational BJSM interview with the first ever female to run the prestigious Boston marathon – Kathrine Switzer. This e-edition includes the most recent updates on relative energy deficiency syndrome (RED-S) and reinforces some of the great research published in last year’s physical activity during pregnancy edition of BJSM. It would be remiss of us not to mention that our female athlete edition also features some of the leading talent in the sports medicine research space. Highlighting the work of great female researchers such as Dr. Kathryn Ackerman and Dr. Margie Davenport is always a pleasure. When it comes to the female athlete there cannot be many better conferences than the BJSM approved Biennial International Female Athlete Conference held recently in Boston, USA. It may be worth adding the webpage to your diary to keep abreast of updates on the next one. With great guests such as Dr. Cheri Blauet and Dr. Kirsty Elliot-Sale, it’s sure to attract even more than the 450 registrants who attended this year!

We want to be sure that researchers and readers, know we have heard the call for more gender specific research in sports medicine. As a journal leading the way in our field we certainly look forward to publishing new evidence on gender specific differences in the elite sporting environment. If you want to join the debate, message us on our social media channels @BJSM_BMJ. If you have ideas or want to suggest topics for future editions, we are keen to serve you, our audience. Please get in touch by using the #BJSMOnlineEdition on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to let us know your thoughts. Also, don’t forget to download the BJSM App. The App remains a convenient way to see all the latest podcasts, blogs and other BJSM content in one place. We hope you enjoy these supplementary BJSM editions and wish you a physically active day! Your BJSM online editors

Katherine Switzer discusses her participation in the Boston marathon and her fight for female representation across elite sport

In 1967, 20-year-old Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to complete the all-male Boston Marathon as an official entrant. She managed to fight off a race official who tried to force her from the course after only several kilometres, and made history as she crossed the finish line four hours later. Empowered by her experience, Kathrine became determined to create change for all women and has dedicated her career to advancing women’s sport, health and equality.

Body Composition Periodization and Performance

@YLMSportScience featuring a paper from Stellingwerff (2017) found in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

SmartHER: Female Athlete Health at the English Institute of Sport (EIS)

Emma Ross and Richard Burden of the EIS Physiology team speak about the work they are doing around female athlete health to encourage athletes, coaches and support staff to open up the conversation and consider female physiology and psychology in training, recovery, nutrition and the coaching environment, in order to improve the health and performance outcomes for female athletes.

Research imbalance: Sport and Exercise in Women versus Men

Jacky Forsyth (@JackyForsyth) is a senior lecturer at Staffordshire University. She is a lead organiser of the Women in Sport and Exercise Conference. In this podcast reviews the difference in the amount of research done on exercise in women compared to exercise in men, and why we need to correct this imbalance.

Risk Factors for ACL Injuries & how to prevent them

@FlynnSlattery

Female athletes’ knowledge of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception

@clareMINAHAN and @brianna_larsen

Clinical tips from Dr. Kathryn Ackerman on how to manage athletes with low energy availability

Dr. Kathryn Ackerman talks about the hot topic of energy availability in sport giving us clinical tips to manage athletes we suspect might be at risk of the consequences of low energy availability. Kathryn’s research focuses on the Female Athlete Triad and the various aspects of Relative Energy in Deficiency in Sport.

Relative energy deficiency in sport: an infographic guide Nicola Keay, Alan Rankin

Hormone Cycles and Performance

Further discussion with Dr. ‘Kate’ Ackerman, MD, MPH, as she presents current research and hypotheses related to hormone cycles and athletic performance, during Boston Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Division Female Athlete Conference.

Bumping up physical activity throughout pregnancy

Fewer than 15% of women achieve the minimum recommendation of 150 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout their pregnancy. Meeting the recommendation can reduce the risk of pregnancy-related illness such as depression by at least 25%, and the risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia by 40%. Dr. Margie Davenport addresses common misconceptions regarding physical activity during pregnancy and explains the new 2019 Canadian guidelines for physical activity throughout pregnancy.

Considerations to guide return to postnatal running Tom Goom, Gráinne Donnelly & Emma Brockwell

Physical activity in pregnancy—what, when, how and why to be active: Prof Greg Whyte, OBE

Professor Greg Whyte, one of the world’s most respected and renowned Sport & Exercise Scientists. Greg combines his academic position at Liverpool John Moores University with both public & private work around the UK, and is a hugely respected scientist and voice, with expertise in a wide range of domains. Not content with overseeing breathtaking Sport Relief challenges and helping to raise >£30m for charity, he has recently published a book titled ‘Bump It Up’, focused on advice for pregnant women.