Sports.Period.

Dealing with your menstrual cycle while exercising or playing a sport can sometimes be difficult. Cramps, bloating, headaches are just a few symptoms that women feeling during their period. However, the article "Exercising with "Your Friend" explain that there is no significant research that supports that being on your period can effect performance. The article argues that exercise is actually good for women during their cycle, and that "performance of work-related or athletic activities is not compromised by the hormone fluctuations of the menstrual cycle" (332). The benefits of exercise ring true whether a women is on her period or not, and can definetly ellivate mood and create good self-esteem and confidence. Albeit, some women may say, to the contrary that they feel greatly effected during their cycle. I think this article is important for women to share with each other, so that those women who use their "friend" as an excuse can get a reality check. However, from my own experience and from many women I know, having your cycle does effect your performance, your mood, your motivation and concentration. A good friend of mine had such bad cramps she had to go home from school or work on the first day of her period because she would be literally throwing up. I never had symptoms that extreme, yet I have experienced pain from cramps, which ultimately hinder my good mood, making it hard to motivate myself or to stay concentrated. Ultimately, I think that some women have exaggerated the effects that occur during their period, yet many women experience severe symptom's that most definitely effect their sport or exercise regime.
Megan O'Brien
Kin 338i tu/thur 2-3:15