Women’s Bodies, Women’s Data: What the Research Actually Says #117

In this conversation, Blake Withers and Kelly Kortick host Esther Keown and Dr Claire Badenhorst to discuss the importance of understanding female physiology in sport, particularly running. They explore the challenges young female athletes face regarding body image and performance, the significance of individualised training programs, and the role of communication in supporting female athletes. The discussion also highlights the launch of Femmi's membership, which aims to empower women through education, community support, and personalised training that considers the unique physiological needs of women.

The Femmi app is available for download on iOS and android:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/femmi-running-plans-for-women/id1672881899

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.femmico.femmi&hl=en&pli=1

Femmi: https://tinyurl.com/c7r732bs

Esther: https://www.instagram.com/estherkeown/?hl=en

Claire: https://www.instagram.com/claire_bades/?hl=en

Takeaways

Understanding female physiology is crucial for optimizing training and performance.

Communication about body image and performance is essential for young female athletes.

Individualized training programs are necessary to accommodate the unique needs of female runners.

FEMI provides resources and support for women to understand their bodies better.

The menstrual cycle significantly impacts training and performance for women.

Empowerment through education can enhance confidence in female athletes.

Community support plays a vital role in encouraging women to participate in running.

Research on female physiology is still evolving and needs to be more inclusive.

FEMI's membership offers personalized training and expert guidance for women runners.

Tracking menstrual cycles can help women understand their bodies and improve performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to FEMMI and Its Mission

01:29 Understanding Female Physiology in Training

02:17 Optimizing Communication and Support for Female Athletes

02:44 The Impact of Societal Norms on Female Athletes

04:21 New Chapter

04:36 The Role of Coaches and Clinicians in Body Positivity

07:24 Understanding Female Physiology and Injury Prevention

10:04 Research Insights on Female Athlete Well-being

13:08 The Importance of Open Conversations in Sports Medicine

15:45 Celebrating Progress in Female Sports Education

24:24 Understanding Menstrual Cycle Research Limitations

30:16 Individual Variability in Menstrual Cycle Symptoms

33:13 FEMI: Tailoring Training to Female Physiology

37:24 The Complexity of Hormonal Impact on Performance

42:52 Recognizing Luteal Phase Defects and Their Implications

51:31 Empowering Women Through Cycle Tracking

56:12 Understanding Your Body and Hormones

57:12 The Importance of Iron for Female Athletes

01:06:43 Debunking Foot Strike Hemolysis

01:11:30 The Dangers of Generic Training Programs

01:14:35 Maximizing Performance for Female Athletes

01:17:54 Introducing the Femi Membership

Keywords

FEMMI, female physiology, running, training programs, women's health, empowerment, communication, performance, menstrual cycle, community support