Monash University is launching a groundbreaking project to explore how sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, and menstrual cycles impact performance and recovery in elite female athletes.
Known as Project FASTT (Female Athlete Sleep, Travel and Technology), the study aims to develop tailored sleep optimisation programs to support both mental and physical wellbeing.
Led by Dr Elise Facer-Childs from the School of Psychological Sciences, Project FASTT is backed by the Australian Research Council and the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. Athletes will wear WHOOP devices to track sleep metrics and physiological data, while researchers will also measure melatonin levels, menstrual cycles, mental health, nutrition, and performance outcomes to tailor interventions effectively.
This initiative addresses a gap in sports science, which has historically focused on male athletes. The goal is to provide valuable insights for elite sports organisations—and potentially extend sleep-based performance support to broader high-performance environments.
