ZURICH, Switzerland (AFP) – World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has hailed as “worthwhile” comments by female athletes questioning the apparent lack of research into the effect of the menstrual cycle on performance.

Coe told AFP in an interview in Zurich, host of the Diamond League finals, that he was currently “examining the landscape” to see what research into periods was actually available.
“I have asked our health and science teams to give me the background to whether or not there is research out there,” Coe said.

“And if there is, is it being disseminated properly? Are we really understanding as much as we possibly can?
“Is there a need for us to (carry out research) if there is a delta of understanding, or is that something that we can start doing?”

The issue was brought up at last month’s European championships in Munich when British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith called for more research after her cycle caused her to pull up in the 100m final with calf cramp.
“It is a huge topic for women in sport,” the Briton told BBC at the time, arguing that “if it was a men’s issue we would have a million different ways to combat things”.

“It is something I think more people need to research from a sports science perspective.
“Sometimes you see girls who have been so consistent have a random dip, and behind the scenes they have been really struggling.
“It could do with more funding.”

Asher-Smith’s comments came in the wake of similar comments citing lack of research and of understanding by several leading female tennis and golf players who had complained of adverse effects on performance of period pains.
Coe said that another of his roles, as chancellor of Loughborough University in England, he had sought guidance on research.