I am currently completing my Ph.D. in the Department of Kinesiology at Western University. While Kinesiology is usually more engaged with athlete development through science, I look at sport through a sociocultural lens. My dissertation investigates the history of women through sports medicine based on the fact that the Olympics test women to ensure they are truly women.
Through genealogical tracking and paradigm mapping, I want to understand how the science behind this notion remains valid. This intersection of language, gender, and sports medicine is a nascent area but with the rise of athletic fame, research has become necessary. I tend to explore this area by means of historical analysis but I am also concerned with contemporary ethics within Olympic sport. I have experience as a teaching assistant, research assistant, writer and editor within this field. If you think that I might contribute to your work, please do not hesitate to reach out. Supervisors: Dr. Angela Schneider Phone: 5197023372
Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (... more Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (Schultz, 2014). Kinesiologists have examined the physiological effects of exercise on females (i.e., female athlete triad; dc Souza, 2003) and how menstrual hormones affect performance (Jongc, 2003). However, as females tend to be less active than their male counterparts (Troiano et al., 2008), there is a need to examine correlates of PA specific to females. This thesis contained two studies. The first study explored the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as predictors of intention to be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p < 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p < 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?',han^ = 0.04, p < 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p < 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p < 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
In the 1960s, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned testing to verify the sex of e... more In the 1960s, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned testing to verify the sex of elite female athletes. Sex tests, as they were called, did not extend to male athletes, and they have tended to rely on appearance and performance alone. Now measuring testosterone levels, the Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification scrutinizes female athletes far more than male athletes. This dissertation contributes to the sex testing literature by investigating three under-explored avenues: the history of the sex testing sports medical literature, a medical discourse analysis of IOC documents based on the implementation of sex testing, and a critical feminist analysis of the 2019 hearing of runner Mokgadi Caster Semenya. Data collection comes from a range of sources, including the IOC’s archives, medical journals, IOC Medical Committee correspondence from 1950-1999, current regulations for hyperandrogenism in the IAAF, and the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) hearing M...
With increases in physical activity (PA) levels of females (Schultz, 2004), research has focused ... more With increases in physical activity (PA) levels of females (Schultz, 2004), research has focused on how menstrual hormones affect performance (e.g., Janse de Jonge, 2003). Limited research has examined how the menstrual cycle may relate to PA participation (Croteau et al., 2015; Held, 2013). This study explored how the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention) and self-reported PA varied throughout the menstrual cycle while considering oral contraceptive use (OC). Females (N=21) completed a diary daily (M=36.6 days) via text message. Participants reported body temperature (identification of menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases), time spent in the previous days' PA, intention, attitude, subjective norms, and PBC. Using multilevel modelling, each component of the TPB was predicted using two dummy variables reflecting the cycle phase, the use of OC as well as the interaction between phase...
Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (... more Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (Schultz, 2014). Kinesiologists have examined the physiological effects of exercise on females (i.e., female athlete triad; dc Souza, 2003) and how menstrual hormones affect performance (Jongc, 2003). However, as females tend to be less active than their male counterparts (Troiano et al., 2008), there is a need to examine correlates of PA specific to females. This thesis contained two studies. The first study explored the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as predictors of intention to be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p &lt; 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p &lt; 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?&#39;,han^ = 0.04, p &lt; 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p &lt; 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p &lt; 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (... more Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (Schultz, 2014). Kinesiologists have examined the physiological effects of exercise on females (i.e., female athlete triad; dc Souza, 2003) and how menstrual hormones affect performance (Jongc, 2003). However, as females tend to be less active than their male counterparts (Troiano et al., 2008), there is a need to examine correlates of PA specific to females. This thesis contained two studies. The first study explored the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as predictors of intention to be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p < 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p < 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?',han^ = 0.04, p < 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p < 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p < 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
In the 1960s, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned testing to verify the sex of e... more In the 1960s, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned testing to verify the sex of elite female athletes. Sex tests, as they were called, did not extend to male athletes, and they have tended to rely on appearance and performance alone. Now measuring testosterone levels, the Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification scrutinizes female athletes far more than male athletes. This dissertation contributes to the sex testing literature by investigating three under-explored avenues: the history of the sex testing sports medical literature, a medical discourse analysis of IOC documents based on the implementation of sex testing, and a critical feminist analysis of the 2019 hearing of runner Mokgadi Caster Semenya. Data collection comes from a range of sources, including the IOC’s archives, medical journals, IOC Medical Committee correspondence from 1950-1999, current regulations for hyperandrogenism in the IAAF, and the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) hearing M...
With increases in physical activity (PA) levels of females (Schultz, 2004), research has focused ... more With increases in physical activity (PA) levels of females (Schultz, 2004), research has focused on how menstrual hormones affect performance (e.g., Janse de Jonge, 2003). Limited research has examined how the menstrual cycle may relate to PA participation (Croteau et al., 2015; Held, 2013). This study explored how the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention) and self-reported PA varied throughout the menstrual cycle while considering oral contraceptive use (OC). Females (N=21) completed a diary daily (M=36.6 days) via text message. Participants reported body temperature (identification of menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases), time spent in the previous days' PA, intention, attitude, subjective norms, and PBC. Using multilevel modelling, each component of the TPB was predicted using two dummy variables reflecting the cycle phase, the use of OC as well as the interaction between phase...
Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (... more Physical activity (PA) levels of females in the United States has increased within recent years (Schultz, 2014). Kinesiologists have examined the physiological effects of exercise on females (i.e., female athlete triad; dc Souza, 2003) and how menstrual hormones affect performance (Jongc, 2003). However, as females tend to be less active than their male counterparts (Troiano et al., 2008), there is a need to examine correlates of PA specific to females. This thesis contained two studies. The first study explored the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as predictors of intention to be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p &lt; 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p &lt; 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?&#39;,han^ = 0.04, p &lt; 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p &lt; 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p &lt; 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
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be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the
menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p < 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral
control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p < 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report
menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?',han^ = 0.04, p < 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p < 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p < 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and
behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N = 217; Mage - 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest o f the
menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest o f the cycle (p < 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral
control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2 = 0.60, p < 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report
menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (/?',han^ = 0.04, p < 0.001). Both total PA (J3 - 0.90, p < 0.001) and intentions (fi = 3.38,p < 0.001) predicted PA during menstruation. It terms of the secondary purpose, general menstrual attitudes also predicted the constructs of the TPB and PA during menstruation with viewing menstruation as a debilitating event being related to all components of the TPB and
behavior. The second study involved a daily diary examining changes in TPB constructs across the phases o f the menstrual cycle. For affective attitudes, a significant phase by oral contraception use interaction was found (p = 0.037) where females on and not on oral contraceptives differed in their affective attitudes towards physical activity during the menstrual phase. A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed that PA levels varied across the menstrual cycle phases when taking previous activity levels into consideration (p = 0.04). Those who were typically more active were also more active during menstruation than those not typically active but no difference was seen in the other phases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the TPB components may be useful in understanding PA during menstruation and secondly, that both activity behavior and cognitions may vary across the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that PA during menstruation may be affected by social pressures or physical symptoms and that more research is needed to understanding intentions, attitudes, and perceived subjective pressures, and PA of females during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.