Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module is offered as a microcredential and can contribute to the Graduate Certificate in Women's Health (Sport and Exercise). This module will cover the significant physiological events that can occur throughout the female lifespan, from the teenager to post-menopause. The module will provide an insight into the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postnatal and menopause discussing clinically applicable physiology and demands and how each stage impacts rehabilitation and exercise in the active female. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Discuss how pelvic floor considerations and rehabilitation may differ according to significant life stages within the active female. 2. Detail the key function of female reproductive endocrinology and appraise how this applies to physical activity. 3. Critically evaluate how pregnancy needs to be considered in the active female for optimal maternal and fetal outcomes. 4. Ascertain how the postnatal period impacts the active female including timelines of recovery and delivery type. 5. Explain the process of the menopause and ascertain the impact within the active female. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Menstrual cycle and its effect on the active female’s health. 1. Menstrual cycle 101: hormones, symptoms & tracking 2. Training and the menstrual cycle including; effects of menstrual cycle phase, effects of PMS, effects on recovery, effects on sport performance, effect on sport injuries 3. Symptoms & management of menstrual symptoms in the active female including; PMS, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, endometriosis, fibroids, amenorrhea (with real life case study), polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, ovarian dysfunction, PCOS 4. Tracking 5. Adolescent athlete & bone health 6. Effects of hormonal contraception 7. Effect on pelvic floor, vagina & vulva (from the menstrual cycle & hormonal contraceptives) 8. Pre-conception advice for active females including; education, sanitary product choice, breast health, pelvic floor muscle training, exercise guidance for those actively trying to conceive Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) 1. Real life case studies 2. Definition 3. Low energy availability 4. Risk & contributing factors including best practice, safe guarding within sport 5. Health & performance consequences of REDs 6. Prevention, screening & identification 7. Management and return to play/sport Pregnancy considerations in the active female 1. Physiological adaptations of pregnancy including trimester specific 2. Current recommendations for the active female during pregnancy 3. Red flags, contraindications & precautions to exercise in pregnancy 4. Pregnancy in elite sport 5. Diastasis Rectus Abdominis 6. Strategies to aid exercise in pregnancy (with real life case study) Postnatal considerations in the active female 1. Delivery methods including; uncomplicated vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, episiotomy, tears & avulsion, c-section 2. Being postnatal: A timeline. Including; Promoting vs hindering recovery, postnatal muscle function (pelvic floor & abdominal wall) & performance, postnatal depression 3. Pelvic floor considerations for the postnatal active female. Including; incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, risk factors, screening, pelvic floor muscle training, real life case study, navigating pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, effects of early exercise 4. Diastasis Rectus Abdominis and the postnatal abdominal wall . Including; relevant anatomy, inter-recti distance measurements, early & late postnatal management, treatment, guidance for considering surgery, real life case study. 5. Returning to exercise and sport postnatally. Including; goals & expectations, the first six weeks, breastfeeding considerations, factors effecting return to sport, return to running 6. Motherhood & the psychological impact on the active female; identity shift, becoming a mother-athlete, navigating motherhood & sport Menopausal considerations in the active female 1. Menopause 101; definition, staging, physiology, types (natural, premature, surgical, chemical/medical) 2. Menopausal symptoms and differential diagnosis/when to refer on 3. Real life case study 4. Managing symptoms including; lifestyle, HRT, use of MDT 5. Implications for the vagina, vulva & pelvic floor muscles 6. Training during & after menopause including; training choices & which ones to favour, recovery, the menopausal athlete, effects of exercise on the gastrointestinal system, low energy availability, addressing & preventing performance issues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||