Galway based technology company Actimet has launched what could be a world-first menstrual cycle tracking component to its coaching app that connects athletes and management.
Its timing was perfect coming off the back of LPGA golfer Lydia Ko talking about having needed a physio on the course at the Palos Verdes Championship on Sunday to help her cope with period pain.
Actimet allows athletes to share subjective information on wellness and training with their coaching team, helping the coaches better understand the impact training is having on an athlete as well as providing insight into what may be happening off the pitch that a coaching team or club can help with.
The new menstruation element of the app presents a dashboard timeline on where each team member is with regard to their cycle, splitting it into seven different phases. It also allows athletes to share any symptoms they may have which can impact their ability to perform.
Athletes enter their information using a mobile app, while coaches access a coach portal via the Actimet website.
Actimet is currently being used at club and county levels in Camogie and Ladies Football and by rowing, athletics, rugby, basketball and soccer teams across the country. It’s also been used in secondary schools and universities.
It provides guidance for coaches on how different training regimes may impact athletes depending on their phase position and symptoms. It also provides education on the different physiological and psychological changes that may occur at each phase, while the mobile app provides insights into hormonal, nutritional and training research for the athlete.
Actimet’s aim is to increase understanding and awareness on the menstrual cycle in sport and help coaches and athletes feel comfortable conversing on the matter in order to improve their playing and coaching experience.
Opening up the conversation can only have a positive impact for athletes and coaches on something that can clearly have such an impact.
“Actimet has always focused on improving feedback and communication between players and coaches to allow management to manage physical and emotional load or pressures,” said brand ambassador Dr Noelle Healy, formerly of the Dublin Ladies Football All Ireland winning team.
“To see them recognising and responding to the additional physical needs of females at different stages of their cycle is brilliant and will only help improve the conversation around the menstrual cycle and its effect on female athletes and most importantly, allow coaches to get the most out of their athletes.”
Healy is working on the development and promotion of the Actimet app alongside Catherine Cormican of the Galway Camogie team and former Irish Rugby international Jenny Murphy.
The menstrual element of the project was based on research conducted by Sinead Bradbury who carried out research with 150 Senior intercounty LGFA and Camogie players to understand the knowledge and impact of the menstrual cycle as well as different strategies used to manage and fears involved.
Actimet was founded by Rory McGauran while working with the Galway Senior Hurling Team, alongside Polish S&C coach Lukasz Kirszenstein and South African tech entrepreneur Edward Kaschula.
It is now being used across multiple sports in 10 different countries across Europe as well as in the USA, Australia, Nigeria and South Africa.
Sport for Business Partners
