The impact of menstruation on female sports participation (Video)

This was a project we completed with the School of Psychology at Ulster University to explore the impact of menstruation and menstrual pain on sports participation for women at non-elite level.

We spoke to Dr Ellen Henderson at Ulster University who was part of the research team and also spoke to a footballer, Roisin Bolger and a netball coach, Karen Rollo-Stewart.

Ellen provides some background to the research and explains that the subject of menstruation and menstrual pain and their impact on female sports participation is a very under studied area. Dr Henderson explains the rationale for the research project as well as providing a summary of the research findings.

Both Roisin and Karen talk about their own personal experiences as players and coaches and the steps they take to deal with menstruation and menstrual pain.

The interviews for this video were conducted at the following locations:

• Dr Ellen Henderson –?Ulster University Coleraine Campus
• Roisin Bolger – Whiterock Leisure Centre, Belfast
• Karen Rollo-Stewart – Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex, Newtownards