Groundbreaking Technology in Women’s Rugby: Tracking the Impact of Menstrual Cycles on Concussions

Wales Rugby is leading the charge in women’s sports by implementing groundbreaking technology to track the impact of the menstrual cycle on concussions. This new concussion module aims to provide female athletes with a deeper understanding of their bodies and help them manage their symptoms more effectively.

The technology, developed in partnership with Vodafone, allows players to input updates about their health into an app which is then assessed in real time by team medics and fitness experts. This data tracking will not only help players maximize their performance but also assist in capturing trends for individual players.

Wales’ second row Natalia John, who suffered a concussion during a fixture against Canada in 2021, expressed the importance of this technology in understanding her symptoms. She believes that having this knowledge will enable her to take better care of herself and perform at her best.

Captain Hannah Jones also highlighted the benefits of tracking her menstrual cycle, stating that it has helped her optimize her training and performance. The technology has also helped detect underlying health issues in players, such as endometriosis, which may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

The introduction of this technology in women’s rugby is a significant step towards addressing the lack of research and support for female athletes in sports science. With only nine percent of global sport science dedicated to female sport, this new development could pave the way for more innovations to protect and enhance the performance of female players.

As women’s sport continues to evolve, the changes implemented in women’s rugby today could have a lasting impact on the future of women’s sports. Wales’ pioneering efforts in using technology to support female athletes may soon become the norm across all women’s sports, ensuring the health and well-being of players are prioritized.