article_snippet: The idea that pregnancy somehow benefits female athletes is compelling.
article_snippet: There are several examples of women reaching the pinnacle of women reaching the pinnacle of their sport for the first time or recapturing former glory after having children sport for the first time or recapturing former glory after having children.
article_snippet: Jo Pavey later told me the challenges of being a mother far outweigh the benefits.
article_snippet: I know people say it’s a physiological advantage,’ Paula Radcliffe said.
article_snippet: But you have nine months of deconditioning and end it all with a childbirth and while recovering you’re in a breastfeeding state and having no sleep for months.
article_snippet: That can’t be beneficial to an athletic performance in the near future.
article_snippet: Minichiello has noticed some benefits in endurance work but the negatives in terms of explosive power needed for multi-eventing are more obvious.
article_snippet: Performance on the track is critical because you can only maintain a profile based on personality alone for so long.