08/03/2026
On International Women's Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience and uniqueness of every woman — and in sport, that uniqueness demands a science tailored to her.
Historically, sports research was built upon male bodies, assuming that men and women functioned identically. Even today, only 44% of participants in sports medicine studies are women, and fewer than 6% consider the menstrual cycle in experimental design — perpetuating gaps that directly affect female health and performance.
Female physiology is unique and powerful. Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle influence metabolism, strength, recovery and injury risk.
Studies demonstrate that women exhibit greater fatigue resistance in isometric
contractions and faster recovery after dynamic exercise than men — advantages
frequently overlooked when male protocols are applied to female athletes.
Individualised assessment is essential to identify Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), which affects 44.2% of female athletes and compromises menstrual function, bone health, immune system and performance. The International Olympic Committee recommends regular screening with validated tools, multidisciplinary assessment and early intervention to prevent serious consequences such as stress fractures, amenorrhoea and osteoporosis. Yet, 81% of female athletes consider women's health a taboo subject in sport, with only 11% discussing these issues with coaches — revealing cultural barriers that compromise health and athletic potential.
In women's sport, to assess is to liberate. Every cycle tells a story. Every body holds
unique potential. Every woman deserves a science that sees her, understands her and elevates her. Being a woman is not a limitation — it is an unstoppable force that transforms silence into revolution and limits into records.
Nutritionist , ON 5066N
📚 Bibliography
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