Researchers study how menstrual cycles and contraceptives impact female athletes' performance and recovery.

Researchers at the University of Canterbury are studying how menstrual cycles and hormonal contraceptives affect elite female athletes' performance and recovery. Led by Rebecca Attwell, the study involves rugby players wearing WHOOP bands to track their physiological data and providing saliva samples to measure hormonal changes. The aim is to develop tailored health and performance plans for female athletes, highlighting the need for gender-specific research in sports science.