Best practices for supporting athletes' return to sport postpartum: A guide for sport organisations

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport Vol. 27; p. S31
• Main Authors: Tighe, B., Williams, S., Hayman, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Belconnen Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Athletes; Coaches & managers; Females; Maternity & paternity leaves; Performance evaluation; Postpartum period; Womens sports
• ISSN: 1440-2440; 1878-1861
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.08.004

[...]phase 3 consisted of extensive consultation with key stakeholders (e.g., athletes, high-performance staff, researchers, national and professional sport organisations) to review, revise and finalise support provisions. Communication (e.g., regular and transparent communication between athletes, coaches and staff as well as consent and confidentiality), Education and educational resources, Support (e.g., appointing a specific support person to assist/support/guide the athlete in their RTS postpartum), Access to health professionals, Facilities (e.g., providing onsite parental amenities), Funding (e.g., providing paid maternity leave/continued funding), Childcare, Travel (e.g., allowing child/ren and designated carer to travel with athlete), Workplace conditions (e.g., recognising motherhood/family demands), Contracts (e.g., contract extensions), Clothing and equipment (e.g., providing athletes with new equipment and training gear including professional fittings to accommodate physical and/or psychological changes) and Event/Team qualification (e.g., requirements for athletes to re-qualify for events and teams). By addressing the multifaceted challenges of the postpartum period among elite athletes, these provisions facilitate a smoother RTS transition and promote the long-term health, well-being, and career longevity of female athletes.