Clinical Research Directory

Cycling Through the Menstrual Cycle

With an increase in number of female athletes in sport events, it is becoming more important to gain insight in female related sports physiology. A main difference between male anf female athletes is the menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, female reproductive hormones fluctuate. These hormones are also of influence on endurance, recovery, muscle strenght and mental state. Therefore we hypothesize that training efficiancy, power and motivation to train differ during the menstrual cycle. In case there is a pattern seen during the menstrual cycle, training programs can be individualized taking the menstrual cycle into account leading to more effective training programs.

Epidemiology of Injuries in the Professional Women's Swedish National IceHockey League Permitted to Body-Checking

This research project can contribute to a deeper understanding of injury patterns among professional female ice-hockey players allowed to body check. An understanding of common injury types and mechanisms aids the clinician in diagnosis and management. This information can guide preventative strategies in the areas of education, coaching, rule enforcement, rule modifications, equipment improvement, and sportsmanship. Today, ice hockey is a sport associated with many severe injuries that not only causes suffering and lower quality of life for the athlete, but also costs society a lot of money. Reducing the number and severity of sport-related injuries is therefore of importance. Knowledge of the injury epidemiology of women's hockey could also contribute to better preventive training programs and other injury preventive actions in the sport. Currently, only a minority of all sports medicine research is made on female study participants (26). This research project has the possibility to gain more knowledge about the female athlete, not only applicable for elite hockey-players, but also for female athletes in different disciplines and in youth teams. Knowledge of factors associated with injury could also contribute to better injury preventive actions and highlight subgroups in extra need of future preventive interventions.