Coaching Female Triathletes in Pre-, Peri- and Post-Menopause CPD Course

The World Triathlon Coaching Female Triathletes – Level 2 (Pre-, Peri- and Post-Menopause) CPD Course is designed for triathlon coaches, age group athletes, performance coaches, sport nutritionists, strength & conditioning coaches, and professionals supporting female endurance athletes.

The programme equips participants with the knowledge and tools required to:

• Understand female endocrine and physiological changes across the lifespan.
• Recognise symptoms that affect training and performance.
• Apply safe and effective training adaptations.
• Integrate strength training, recovery strategies, nutrition planning, and mental health support.
• Communicate sensitively and professionally.
• Apply safeguarding standards and multidisciplinary collaboration.

This course offers a practice-focused and athlete-centred approach to coaching female triathletes during the menopausal transition. Participants will explore:

• Hormonal and physiological mechanisms and their impact on endurance performance.
• Health and medical considerations relevant to coaching practice.
• Training system design, strength integration, and recovery management.
• Nutrition strategies tailored to hormonal and age-related metabolic changes.
• Mental health, motivation, and long-term athlete engagement.
• Communication skills and safeguarding principles.

The course combines pre-recorded micro-learning content with live round-table discussions and Q&A sessions.

At the end of the course, attendees will:

• Explain key hormonal and physiological changes in pre-, peri-, and post-menopause.
• Recognise common symptoms affecting training (sleep disturbances, hot flashes, mood changes, reduced recovery, muscle mass decline, etc.).
• Identify major health considerations including bone health, cardiovascular risk, RED‑S, and pelvic floor health.
• Adapt endurance, strength, and technical training for menopausal athletes.
• Design recovery-focused microcycles and macrocycles aligned with symptom fluctuation.
• Apply nutrition strategies adapted to hormonal phases and age-related metabolic changes.
• Identify mental health warning signs and integrate supportive coaching approaches.
• Use evidence-based screening tools and performance benchmarks.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with female athletes.
• Apply safeguarding standards and maintain professional boundaries.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary support teams.

The course is divided into six (6) modules:

Module 1 – Female Physiology Across the Lifespan

• Female endocrine system overview
• Hormonal changes in pre-, peri- and post-menopause (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
• Consequences for triathlon performance:
  • Thermoregulation
  • Muscle mass and strength decline
  • Slower recovery
  • Sleep disruption
  • Increased injury risk
• Performance opportunities in menopausal athletes
• Pelvic floor health foundations

Module 2 – Health & Medical Considerations for Menopausal Athletes

• Bone density and osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular risk changes
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• RED-S risk
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): coaching implications (non-clinical)
• Safe practice, ethics and professional boundaries

Module 3 – Training Adaptation, Strength & Recovery

• Strength and neuromuscular performance
• Loss of muscle mass and power
• Importance of strength training:
  • Heavy lifting
  • Plyometrics and power development
  • Mobility and stability
  • Pelvic-floor-safe adaptations
• Integrating strength into triathlon periodisation
• Recovery and load management
• Readiness monitoring and recovery strategies

Module 4 – Nutrition for Menopausal Triathletes

• Age-related metabolic changes
• Protein timing and distribution
• Carbohydrate strategies for fluctuating energy levels
• Recovery nutrition for sleep and muscle repair
• Body composition management without restrictive dieting
• Key micronutrients (calcium, vitamin D, iron, magnesium)
• Hydration and thermoregulation strategies

Module 5 – Mental Health & Performance Mindset

• Mood disturbances, anxiety and depression risk
• Athlete identity changes
• Confidence and body image challenges
• Emotional regulation tools
• Burnout and overtraining recognition

Module 6 – Communication, Safeguarding & Athlete-Centred Coaching

• Sensitive communication strategies
• Creating safe spaces
• Boundaries and confidentiality
• Safeguarding in 1:1 coaching
• Working with diverse backgrounds
• Long-term relationship building

• Knowledge checks after each module.
• Coaching toolkit implementation

The content is supported by the World Triathlon Education & Knowledge Hub, which contains different information required to establish a successful training program. With all the content provided, coaches should be able to develop their coaching knowledge and skills and design a tailored training program for their athletes. For more details, please contact World Triathlon Development at development@triathlon.org.

Project Lead:

Vicent Beltran (ESP) – Athlete Development Manager & World Triathlon Coach Facilitator

Module Leads:

• Kristina Skroce – Female Physiology
• Irina Zelenkova – Health & Medical Considerations
• Esther Morencos – Training Adaptation, Strength & Recovery
• TBC - Nutrition for Menopausal Triathletes
• Holly Benner – Mental Health & Performance Mindset
• Fenella Ng – Communication & Safeguarding

Panel discussion: Elite Performance Across the Hormonal Lifespan: From Pre to Post-Menopause

• Former elite athletes