Groundbreaking technology is revolutionizing the way female athletes can monitor and address the effects of concussion. Concussion remains the most common injury in rugby, prompting efforts to reduce its occurrence and manage its short and long-term symptoms more effectively. A study conducted by the University of Birmingham revealed that female athletes experience a higher rate of concussion and more severe and prolonged symptoms compared to their male counterparts, with hormone variation during the menstrual cycle identified as a key factor.
In light of these findings, a new technology has been introduced to aid athletes, medical staff, and coaches in better understanding the impact of the menstrual cycle on concussion symptoms, and more efficiently managing and monitoring them. Vodafone, Founding Principal Partner of Wales Women’s and Girls’ Rugby, has launched this initiative as an addition to its innovative PLAYER.Connect platform. This platform gathers real-time data from athletes’ wearable devices, enabling instant analysis.
For the first time outside of a research environment, the new technology will allow players’ concussion data to be viewed alongside their menstrual cycle data. This means concussion data can be captured and analyzed more frequently and quickly than ever before, providing a comprehensive understanding of how the menstrual cycle may impact concussion symptoms.
Joanna Perkins, Head Physiotherapist for Wales Women, expressed the benefits of this technology, stating, “The technology provides us with real-time information on our athletes and their symptoms, including their cycle phases and any potential concussion symptoms. This allows us to intervene more effectively and capture trends for individual players. If we notice a decline in certain data, we can determine if it’s normal for the player at that stage of her menstrual cycle, or if it indicates another underlying issue. This is incredibly valuable information for us to have and act upon.”
The Wales Women’s Rugby Team has been testing the concussion tracking module since November 2023, leading up to the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the tournament and beyond. This initiative follows the successful implementation of Vodafone PLAYER.Connect’s original menstrual cycle tracking module, which has been in use by Wales Women’s Senior and Pathway teams since February 2023.
Vodafone PLAYER.Connect collects data on players’ performance, menstrual cycle phases, and mental and physical well-being with input from players and coaches. Hannah Jones, Wales Women’s Captain, emphasized the importance of concussion monitoring and the app’s ability to track and monitor data to better manage health, well-being, and performance on the pitch.
Speaking on the significance of the added concussion module, John Mulcahy, Performance Consultant for Vodafone PLAYER.Connect, commented, “It’s the first time outside of a research environment that we’ve been able to gather holistic data examining how the menstrual cycle might affect recovery from concussion and related symptoms.”
This new technological advancement not only offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding and managing concussion symptoms in female athletes but also demonstrates the potential for technology to drive meaningful improvements in healthcare and sports. By gaining insights into the complex relationship between the menstrual cycle and concussion, it paves the way for more tailored and effective care for female athletes.