ShePower Sport

26/10/2021

Dear SPS Community,

We will be on a hiatus until early 2022. Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
The SPS Team

26/10/2021

DID YOU KNOW? by Dr. Julia Alleyne

You should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

24/10/2021

Breast Care For Athletes Starts With Finding Your Personal Fit by Dr. Julia Alleyne

Beyond support, there are other features that can enhance your comfort. I strongly recommend that you try different styles out yourself to find your best fit. Some elements of bra construction directly oppose the natural physiology of the breast. A better match between female physiology and bra construction may ease some breast problems. The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. You may actually not know your correct size or that it varies along with other body changes during your career.

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

22/10/2021

Bra Solutions for Different Problems by Dr. Julia Alleyne

Issue: Vigorous exercise and training, jumping and bouncing, contact sports.
Solution: Chose garment suited to the type of exercise you do - impact, endurance and/or contact sport all require different sport bras.

Issue: Bruising
Solution: Wider shoulder straps, add strap pads, less anterior compression.

Issue: Ni**le Chaffing
Solution: Seamless cups, ensure proper size and fit, sweat-absorbent material.

Issue: Breast Displacement
Solution: Compression style garment (Spandex) full figure support, proper sizing and fit

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

20/10/2021

DID YOU KNOW? by Dr. Julia Alleyne

It has only been about 40 years since the first sports bra was designed, named the Jogbra, invented in 1978. Their original creation was developed from two jockstraps being sewn together in order to hold their breasts better while they ran. The original name for the bra was the Jock Bra.

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

18/10/2021

Myths & Facts About Breasts by Dr. Julia Alleyne

Myth: The breast is made of muscle.
Fact: Breast is a fatty tissue like a gland. The only muscle is around the ni**le and causes it to erect. The chest muscle is called the pectoralis and lies below the breast.

Myth: Nerves are found throughout the breast.
Fact: The nerves are concentrated in the ni**le area of the breast, which is the most sensitive area. All other nerves run deep within the tissue.

Myth: Breasts sag if the ligaments are torn.
Fact: The only ligaments in the breast (Cooper’s Ligament) hold the central breast to the chest wall. They are very strong and function as suspension support. They do not easily tear as they are flexible.

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

15/10/2021

The Bare Facts on Breast Care for Athletes by Dr. Julia Alleyne

In an age where female athletes are removing the barriers to gender equality in sports one by one, healthy breast care is but another piece in the puzzle to ensure nothing is holding you back. In fact, it is very difficult to damage your breasts while exercising, unless you receive a direct and powerful blow to your chest. Fears of damage to the breast arising from vigorous exercise seem deeply ingrained in women’s (and men’s) minds. Yet, from the beginning of the twentieth century, women have been encouraged to use mild exercise to enhance their bust. One popular arm and chest exercise was accompanied by the chant of “we must, we must, we must increase our bust.”

Click the link below to learn more about breast care for athletes.

The correct fit of your bra is key to your comfort. Optimal breast care for athletes includes that you should be fitted for your bra at least every year.

01/10/2021

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, we hosted two powerful women who are committed RED-S advocates. RED-S stands for ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport‘ and is a common condition in female (and male) athletes that can substantially affect your wellbeing, health, and performance. In their discussion between athlete and expert, Dr. Kate Ackerman and Soren Meeuwisse laid out the practical facts of RED-S and busted some myths.

Watch this clip! Dr. Ackerman asks Soren: So Soren, I want to know from you, what was it, what were the first signs that you knew something was wrong? I've talked to a lot of athletes and some people say performance, some people say stress fractures. Some people say, "Oh, well my menstrual cycle disappeared and I didn't know what that was about." What was it for you?

Event recording and resources are now available here: https://shepowersport.com/red-s-dont-starve-your-potential-event-recordings/

27/09/2021

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, we hosted two powerful women who are committed RED-S advocates. RED-S stands for ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport‘ and is a common condition in female (and male) athletes that can substantially affect your wellbeing, health, and performance. In their discussion between athlete and expert, Dr. Kate Ackerman and Soren Meeuwisse laid out the practical facts of RED-S and busted some myths.

Watch this clip! Soren asks Dr. Ackerman, "Most athletes, especially developing athletes, they don't have immediate access to sports medicine doctors, and they will go to a family physician who generally family physicians do not know as much about RED-S. So what would you say to an athlete who is going straight to a family physician and presenting quite clear, or even unclear signs of RED-S?"

Event recording and resources are now available here: https://shepowersport.com/red-s-dont-starve-your-potential-event-recordings/

25/09/2021

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, we hosted two powerful women who are committed RED-S advocates. RED-S stands for ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport‘ and is a common condition in female (and male) athletes that can substantially affect your wellbeing, health, and performance. In their discussion between athlete and expert, Dr. Kate Ackerman and Soren Meeuwisse laid out the practical facts of RED-S and busted some myths.

Watch and listen as Dr. Ackerman explains the equation for Low Energy Availability: EA= (EI - EEE)/FFM, and concludes with the ideal number for EA as being 30 minimum.

Event recording and resources are now available here: https://shepowersport.com/red-s-dont-starve-your-potential-event-recordings/

24/09/2021

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, we hosted two powerful women who are committed RED-S advocates. RED-S stands for ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport‘ and is a common condition in female (and male) athletes that can substantially affect your wellbeing, health, and performance. In their discussion between athlete and expert, Dr. Kate Ackerman and Soren Meeuwisse laid out the practical facts of RED-S and busted some myths.

Event recording and resources are now available below:

An athlete whose career was ended by RED-S. An expert who treats athletes with RED-S every day. A powerful conversation.

17/09/2021

On September 16, 2021 at 1700H GMT, we hosted an online event, Don't Starve Your Potential: A Conversation About Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) with Dr. Kathryn Ackerman and Soren Meeuwisse . Soren was kind enough to provide us with an introductory video for this event.

Soren competed on the Cross-Country Mountain Bike Canadian National Team from ages 17-21 when she studied at McMaster University. While completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree, she also competed in varsity sports for cross country running and Nordic skiing. She transitioned from sport to academics and became a coach, mentor, tutor, clinical research trial assistant, physiotherapist assistant volunteer, and RED-S advocate.

Listen to her story, learn about RED-S, be aware of the signs. There are healthier and more effective ways to improve your performance.