The Evolution of Women’s Health: Insights, Breakthroughs, and the Road Ahead
Esme's presentation to the SESNZ Conference 2024
Explore the evolution of women's health, from past challenges to present-day advancements. We'll dive into the latest research and how exercise physiology intersects with women’s health, highlighting the unique scope of practice for health professionals. Discover the rise of women in sports, the challenges they face, and the strategies that are making a difference. Finally, look ahead to future trends and directions in women's health and sports. Join us for an insightful session that bridges history, science, and the future of women’s health.
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Overview
1. Women’s Health in the Past
- Historically, women’s health issues were often ignored or misunderstood in medical research.
- Cultural taboos around menstruation, contraception and politics in healthcare lead to limited focus on women's health needs.
2. Research
- Modern research has made strides in understanding female physiology, including hormonal cycles, menstrual health, and reproductive health.
- There’s growing emphasis on sex-specific health data, addressing the gap in clinical trials historically dominated by male participants.
3. Exercise Physiology & Scope of Practice
- Understanding how hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can impact exercise performance and recovery
- Health professionals must stay informed about the latest updated guidelines for supporting women in exercise, considering factors like pregnancy, menopause, and endometriosis.
4. Women’s Sports
- Increased visibility of female athletes has led to more research on gender differences in sports performance and the need for tailored training.
- Ongoing challenges include addressing the gender pay gap and ensuring equal access to resources for women in sports.
5. Future Directions & Trends
- Innovations in wearable technology and data analytics will help tailor health and fitness programs specifically for women’s bodies.
- Looking toward better and earlier education for body literacy, and a growing role for Exercise Scientists, Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists and S&C Coaches to work with female athletes.
- Historically, women’s health issues were often ignored or misunderstood in medical research.
- Cultural taboos around menstruation, contraception and politics in healthcare lead to limited focus on women's health needs.
2. Research
- Modern research has made strides in understanding female physiology, including hormonal cycles, menstrual health, and reproductive health.
- There’s growing emphasis on sex-specific health data, addressing the gap in clinical trials historically dominated by male participants.
3. Exercise Physiology & Scope of Practice
- Understanding how hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can impact exercise performance and recovery
- Health professionals must stay informed about the latest updated guidelines for supporting women in exercise, considering factors like pregnancy, menopause, and endometriosis.
4. Women’s Sports
- Increased visibility of female athletes has led to more research on gender differences in sports performance and the need for tailored training.
- Ongoing challenges include addressing the gender pay gap and ensuring equal access to resources for women in sports.
5. Future Directions & Trends
- Innovations in wearable technology and data analytics will help tailor health and fitness programs specifically for women’s bodies.
- Looking toward better and earlier education for body literacy, and a growing role for Exercise Scientists, Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists and S&C Coaches to work with female athletes.
Meet the speaker
Esme Soan
Esme has worked as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Women’s Health focus as part of multidisciplinary teams, and now owns & works in her own clinic, Pear Exercise Physiology: Pregnancy & Women's Health in Brisbane.
As co-director of The Women's Health Collective she is passionate about learning & teaching more in Women's Health. Esme is the ESSA Women’s Health Media Expert and has taught webinars and several workshops in the past year on women’s health and exercise for ESSA, NSW Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Women’s Health Collective.
As co-director of The Women's Health Collective she is passionate about learning & teaching more in Women's Health. Esme is the ESSA Women’s Health Media Expert and has taught webinars and several workshops in the past year on women’s health and exercise for ESSA, NSW Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Women’s Health Collective.
Patrick Jones - Course author
The WHC acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people of the First Nation as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane). They have resided here long before us and possess valuable traditional wisdom and healthcare knowledge. Our office is situated on their lands, where we gather, work, and learn.
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