Australia’s female athletes can access new education resources to support their health and athletic performances following the addition of new modules to the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Female Performance and Health Initiative (FPHI).
Acting Chief Executive at the AIS, Matti Clements said that following the success of the first modules which were launched in 2021, six new topics specific to female athletes had been added to the AIS FPHI online learning page.
Ms Clements said the modules covered body image, nutrition, bone health, pelvic health, breast health and low energy availability.
Project Lead of the AIS FPHI and Chief Medical Officer of Paralympics Australia, Dr Rachel Harris said it was crucial that female athletes be aware about their health and how it impacts performance.
“Historically, the majority of research and resources relating to health and performance were based on men, creating a lot of guesswork for female athletes, as well as their coaches and health practitioners,” Dr Harris said.
“Our female athletes need the right information to be at their best and with the FPHI, we have sought to create a one-stop-shop to do just that,” she said.
“We had a great response to the first modules which related to menstruation, puberty and contraception and look forward to increasing awareness with these new topics of body image, nutrition, bone health, pelvic floor, breast health and low energy availability.”
Dr Harris said FPHI modules were developed in consultation with leading experts and institutions such as Sports Nutritionist, Dr Louise Burke; University of Wollongong; Griffith University; and Monash University.
She said the introduction of the six new topics meant there were now 14 AIS FPHI learning modules available for athletes, coaches and health practitioners.
Further information on the AIS FPHI can be accessed at this PS News link.
