If the menstrual cycle affects everything from strength to sleep, why are we ignoring it in sport?

In this episode of The Food Medic Podcast, Dr Hazel Wallace, a women’s health nutritionist, sits down with researcher Kelly McNulty to discuss the challenges of researching female physiology, the importance of individualised training, and the role of cycle tracking for athletes.

The episode covers:

How do the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives affect women’s health, athletic performance, and recovery?
What challenges exist in researching female physiology and why is more high-quality research needed?
Why is individualised training important for women, especially athletes?
What is the role of cycle tracking in optimising athletic performance and recovery for women?
How can women be empowered to better understand and work with their bodies throughout all stages of life?

The episode emphasises the need for more high-quality research, encourages a balanced approach to training, and aims to empower women to better understand and work with their bodies throughout all stages of life.

The more you understand your body, the more power you have to train, perform, and live on your own terms. So ask yourself: how much could change if you truly knew what your body needs?

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If you have a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast, simply send a voice note to holly@thefoodmedic.co.uk – we'd love to hear from you!

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