Scholarlink

Background <p>Due to their hormonal cycle, female athletes face multidimensional concerns such as worries about health, fear of leakage, and managing cycle symptoms. This study presents the development and validation of an assessment tool designed to address the multidimensional cycle experience of (semi-)elite female athletes.</p> Methods <p>The assessment tool was developed and validated using a&#xa0;sequential mixed methods design. The first version of the assessment tool was developed by analyzing 309 semi-structured interviews with 219 athletes and was refined by an expert team. After pre-testing in 11&#xa0;female athletes, the assessment tool was shortened based on statistical and contextual considerations. Factor structure was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a&#xa0;first sample of 134 postmenarchal female athletes and confirmed in an independent second sample of 82&#xa0;postmenarchal female athletes. Test–retest reliability was assessed in a&#xa0;subsample of 30&#xa0;athletes.</p> Results <p>The assessment tool development and validation process included both statistical criteria and contextual athlete feedback to ensure both quality and relevance in the applied setting. The final assessment tool comprises three sections: Female Cycle Health, Distress Resulting from Bleeding and Symptoms, and Female Cycle in Sport Context. Factor analyses supported interpretable structures with acceptable internal consistency across multi-item subscales.</p> Conclusion <p>The assessment tool captures multidimensional, athlete-centered aspects of the female hormonal cycle in elite sport. This tool enables identification of individual needs and supports the implementation of tailored support strategies. Using a&#xa0;validated tool facilitates the collection of relevant information in the sport context and enhances comparability across studies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Sport-specific assessment of female cycle-related concerns (FemCo-Sport)

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月14日

查看全文
  • Andrea Roffler,
  • Marie-Therese Fleddermann,
  • Claudia Lenz,
  • Hanna de Haan,
  • Michael Mutz,
  • Karsten Krüger,
  • Karen Zentgraf

摘要

Background

Due to their hormonal cycle, female athletes face multidimensional concerns such as worries about health, fear of leakage, and managing cycle symptoms. This study presents the development and validation of an assessment tool designed to address the multidimensional cycle experience of (semi-)elite female athletes.

Methods

The assessment tool was developed and validated using a sequential mixed methods design. The first version of the assessment tool was developed by analyzing 309 semi-structured interviews with 219 athletes and was refined by an expert team. After pre-testing in 11 female athletes, the assessment tool was shortened based on statistical and contextual considerations. Factor structure was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a first sample of 134 postmenarchal female athletes and confirmed in an independent second sample of 82 postmenarchal female athletes. Test–retest reliability was assessed in a subsample of 30 athletes.

Results

The assessment tool development and validation process included both statistical criteria and contextual athlete feedback to ensure both quality and relevance in the applied setting. The final assessment tool comprises three sections: Female Cycle Health, Distress Resulting from Bleeding and Symptoms, and Female Cycle in Sport Context. Factor analyses supported interpretable structures with acceptable internal consistency across multi-item subscales.

Conclusion

The assessment tool captures multidimensional, athlete-centered aspects of the female hormonal cycle in elite sport. This tool enables identification of individual needs and supports the implementation of tailored support strategies. Using a validated tool facilitates the collection of relevant information in the sport context and enhances comparability across studies.