From March Madness to May-hem

Talking about talking about talking about …

1. Working Well

Travel, talks and meta talks – the round up

Of late, two habits have developed here at The Well HQ. One, we talk at a lot of events and two, we talk a lot about talking at a lot of events.

Now we’re talking about talking about talking at events. Where does it end? Anyway, May saw Baz hit the Women’s Hour airwaves to talk about The Well HQ’s Safer Sport project, while Emma addressed Wellington School for another Sport in Her Shoes before presenting to several big consumer brands.

Back in early May we also spent an evening at Technogym’s impressive Mayfair boutique for a well-attended women’s health event, featuring workouts and workshops, how-tos and even a bra fitting.

Over the last few days, and continuing into June, Baz is going Maple-side for a keynote at ESPN’s international conference in Vancouver, while Emma’s on a Nordics tour to talk football in Sweden and female Olympian health in Norway.

2. The World at Well

A first-ever Olympic nursery?

Athletes aren’t just sports stars – they’re often mothers and fathers, brothers, sisters and carers …

So with the Olympics and Paralympics set to bring 22,250 athletes and staffers to Paris, we’re all about the fact that worldwide sponsor P&G will establish the first-ever Olympic Village Nursery right at the heart of the event.

The Pampers nursery will be a comfortable environment where children, parents, carers and families can spend time together during the Games. Open between 9am and 9pm, it’s all part of a new IOC commitment to ensure parent athletes are cared for and supported at all Olympic Games.

As some of TWHQ team know all-too-well, working in professional sport isn’t the most kid-friendly way to earn a living. So any move to keep children and parents together has to be welcomed – and it’s a fitting step forward that her breakout summer of sport can be a family affair too.

3. This moment in HerStory

Our journo / broadcaster masterclass is now open to all

On June 19th, The Well HQ and Sky Sports will host (what we think is) a first-of-its-kind webinar for journalists, broadcasters and commentators ahead of her summer of sport.

We’ll deliver science, trends and news from the intersection of women’s health and sport in order to support those who are gearing up to add the soundtrack to moments in history. To moments in HerStory.

Due to popular demand the session is now open to everyone. So whether you’re a pro or just curious, we’d love you to be there.

Oh also, webinar attendees will together create a moment of HerStory on the day itself …

To be there sign up now.

4. Here Comes the Science Bit

A shot in the cycle debate

A new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise adds a new wrinkle to the debate on the menstrual cycle’s role in injury risk.

Academics from the Bruinvels research group analysed 26 elite female footballers across three seasons to observe injury types, timings and severity, before cross-referencing with players’ menstrual cycles.

The team found no connection between cycle phase and serious injury, but they did find an uptick of non-serious muscle injuries during the luteal phase of the cycle – a conclusion which clashes with prior research (analysing the Lionesses over four seasons) connecting muscle and tendon injuries with the late follicular phase. So this is really interesting stuff.

That said, injuries are multifactorial and the menstrual cycle is sophisticated – its influence varies based on the individual’s body, physiology and lifestyle. Even if it does influence injury it’s likely to do so more on an individual level.

There’s something else here too. Yes we need to collect and analyse large datasets, but we also need to see that every day of the cycle presents risk. Every day is a day to teach resilience; to emphasise technique; to discuss prevention and intervention …

Luteal or follicular – risk is constant and solutions should be too.

5. Medical BS

Why are women’s ACLs at risk and what can we do?

Dr Bella says: women have wider hips so there’s more angular strain on our knees (and ACLs) when we sprint and jump and so on. 

If you don’t do high-intensity sport the risks are minimal. If you do then de-risking starts with technique …

Women often lack basic mastery of movement, agility, strength and balance. This technique gap begins in primary school and continues through life unless we retrain it. 

Hence research confirms that (re)focusing on those basics can reduce ACL injury rates by 45% and overall injury rates by 27%.