Menstrual cycle in movement prescription. Presented by Unna Goldsworthy AEP
A novel look at the immune system and the nervous system and creating lasting behaviour change
Research on menstrual cycles, including in relation to exercise participation, is young. And yet, there is enough to provide meaningful guidance to our clients and to enhance our movement prescription where it matters. Unna Goldsworthy AEP navigates us through this emerging topic with suggestions for how to broadening the decision-making matrix of prescription considerations.
The entry points for opening up conversation around the menstrual cycle is a practical place to start. Here, curiosity and finding opportunity to shift the dial, are the focal points. It might be considering the best timepoint to commence a new program; responding to an unexpected program response; or being observant to consistent patterns.
A deep dive into the connection of the endocrine, immune and nervous system flexes the muscle of biology and of critical thinking. Here the learning opportunities are rich, with Unna offering a wide lens. Beyond the basic traits of a menstrual cycle, it’s influence on broader systems and chronic disease presentations is explored.
Unna provides insights to application to practice. One through line is providing permission to seek appropriate rest. This nudges up against improving the prescription variables through more, better and best; instead creating a more nuanced approach to optimising progression. Unna’s advice is to set a theory, then assess-test-reassess. She describes that this sits in line with the current level of evidence and is demonstration of a solid person-centred approach.
Unna Goldsworthy is a context-seeking exercise physiologist who refines meaningful research to share about female physiology and anatomy. Within the work environment, Unna Movement creates space to consider female health and its unique physiology, allowing science to guide ideas, and to develop unique stories, to create refined decisions.