FIFA Female Health Project

https://inside.fifa.com/womens-football/fifa-female-health-project-snapshot

"FIFA’s aim is to optimise every female footballer’s health, well-being and performance and to improve knowledge of women and girls in football at every level of the game" - Sarai Bareman, Chief Womenʼs Football Officer FIFA

13 tips to keep in mind

#1 Female health and performance education should be made accessible to everyone involved in the women’s game. This should not be restricted to players and medical or female staff.

#2 Through education, players should be encouraged to take ownership of their health,  performance and well-being.

#3 Female health should not be  regarded as a barrier to exercise, nor should it be a topic that  cannot be discussed. A safe space for communication around female health should be created. We must normalise the conversation.

#4 Players should be encouraged  to track their cycles and learn more about their own bodies and should be educated on what is normal and when something may be untoward.

#5 An optimal strength and conditioning programme should embrace  an individualised and sport-specific approach and should consider the athlete’s training age, maturation status, skill level, current level of play, strength imbalances or weaknesses, menstrual status and injury history.

#6 Education is key to helping the players understand the recovery process and has an impact on behaviour change to make the right choices at the optimal time.

#7 It is necessary to ensure players are educated on the fundamentals of recovery, encompassing nutrition, hydration and sleep.

#8 Players should be encouraged to be consistent and develop a bedtime routine, including powering down screens, ensuring the bedroom is optimal for sleep (such as temperature, black-out curtains, comfortable bed, mattress, pillow and bedding, lavender aroma/oil, no bright light/TV/phone), avoiding caffeine and relaxing the mind.

#9 Players should be provided with simple education on fuelling for, and recovery from,  training and matches. It should be noted that nutritional and hydration needs may change due to fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels (whether natural or synthetic).

#10 Navigating puberty can be challenging for players and their coaching staff. This is an essential part of development, and specific support and education are needed, particularly as it is more common for people to turn away from sport during this time.

#11 Family planning, pregnancy and parenthood should be normalised. Sports organisations, coaches, staff and players need to work together to create an  environment where pregnancy and being a parent are valued, celebrated and appropriately supported.

#12 Menopause is not a disease and does not require treatment unless symptoms affect the quality of life.

#13 Consideration should be given to female-specific requirements, including having toilet access, adequate sanitary facilities (e.g. bins and handwash), access to menstrual hygiene products, clothing to allow for potential leakage and access to well-fitting sports bras.