Women’s Football Hub

#033 Emerging PhD research Emma Sconce - Hamstring injuries

Women's Football Hub Podcast – MSK Physiotherapy Series
🎙 Episode Title: Emerging PhD Research on Hamstring Injury & Function👩‍⚕️ Guest: Emma Sconce, Researcher & Former Footballer🎧 Host: Carolyn Kent
Episode Summary
In this episode, Carolyn Kent sits down with Emma Sconce, a former footballer turned researcher, who has just completed her PhD at Sheffield Hallam University focusing on hamstring injuries and function in footballers. Emma shares insights from her journey as a player, her transition into teaching and research, and her mission to reduce injury risks in athletes.
Key Topics Discussed
✅ Emma’s Journey in Football: From playing in the UK to experiencing the highly physical style of the U.S. game.✅ Hamstring Injuries in Football: Why they are so common and the impact on performance.✅ The Rise in Hamstring Injuries: How increased workload and game frequency may be contributing to injury rates.✅ Predicting & Preventing Injuries: Emma’s PhD research into the Nordic hamstring exercise and breakpoint angles.✅ Introducing HAL-HAM: A new device and system designed to measure hamstring function and reduce injuries.✅ Practical Injury Prevention Tips: What players and coaches need to do to protect against hamstring injuries.
Key Takeaways
⚽ Female players are at increasing risk of hamstring injuries – with research showing up to 12% of all football injuries involve the hamstrings.💡 Recovery is challenging due to scar tissue and muscle weakness, increasing reinjury risk.🦵 The Nordic hamstring exercise can reduce injury risk by up to 51% – but compliance remains an issue.📊 Emma’s research aims to bridge the gap between science and real-world injury prevention through the HAL-HAM system.
Resources & Further Reading
📖 Read Emma’s latest research on hamstring injury prevention.🔗 Follow Emma on LinkedIn & X for research updates.
🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.📢 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts using #WFHPodcast #WomensFootball #InjuryPrevention

#032 MSK Physiotherapy Series - Angela Jackson - Youth Injuries in Sport

🎙️ WFH Podcast: Youth Injuries in Women’s Football with Angela Jackson
Episode Overview
In this episode of Women’s Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent sits down with Angela Jackson, a consultant physiotherapist and strength & conditioning expert, to dive into one of the most crucial topics in youth football—injuries in young female players.
From growth-related injuries to training loads and injury prevention, Angela shares must-know insights for coaches, parents, and players. Whether you're working with a youth team or just passionate about the game, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
⚽ How growth & maturation affect young female players🚑 Common injuries in girls vs. boys & why they happen🏃‍♀️ The dangers of early specialization & high training loads👀 Key injury warning signs for parents & coaches🩺 Why traditional injury advice (like “just rest”) may not work📊 How to modify training & keep young athletes playing safely
Key Quotes from Angela Jackson
💬 “Growth is part of the game, and it creates a dynamic challenge in youth sports. We can’t stop it, but we can manage it.”💬 “Too much too soon is the biggest risk factor for injuries in young athletes.”💬 “Losing a period is NEVER normal for a young female athlete. It’s a sign something is wrong.”
Resources & Links
🔗 Visit Angela’s website: https://kidsback2sport.com/
📖 Download free injury guides: https://kidsback2sport.com/resources/
📢 Follow Women’s Football Hub for more insights: IG @womens.football.hub

#031 Sports medicine series - Dr Kerry Peek Concussion in women's football

Women's Football Hub Podcast – Heading, Concussion & Brain Health in Football with Dr. Kerry Peek
🎙️ Host: Carolyn Kent🎙️ Guest: Dr. Kerry Peek – FIFA Medical Researcher in Brain Health, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Former Council Chair at Sports Medicine Australia
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Women’s Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Dr. Kerry Peek, a leading expert in brain health, heading, and concussion in football. Dr. Peek is currently working as a FIFA medical researcher, focusing on injury prevention and brain health in football.
The conversation explores:✅ The latest research on heading and concussion in football✅ Differences between male and female players in heading incidents and injuries✅ The short-term and long-term risks of heading and head injuries✅ Why inexperienced players are at higher risk of injury✅ The importance of coaching heading as a skill to reduce injury risk✅ What coaches, parents, and physios need to know about concussion✅ Why helmets & scrum caps don’t prevent concussion
Key Takeaways
🔹 Heading is a skill that must be taught properly – Poor technique and lack of coaching increase injury risk.🔹 Timing, vision, and awareness are crucial – Players who close their eyes before impact are at a higher risk of injury.🔹 Women and girls are more likely to be injured by the ball than men – Dr. Peek's research explores why this happens.🔹 Concussions are preventable – Up to 70-80% of head injuries could be avoided through proper technique and decision-making.🔹 Physiotherapists & coaches need better concussion education – If in doubt, sit them out!🔹 Helmets and scrum caps do NOT prevent concussion – The brain still moves inside the skull during impact.
Resources Mentioned
📚 FIFA Brain Health & Heading Research – Stay updated on FIFA’s latest studies.📲 Follow Dr. Kerry Peek on LinkedIn to learn more about her research and projects.📊 Upcoming FIFA Research Database – A global resource for heading and concussion studies.
Follow & Connect
📌 Follow Women’s Football Hub Podcast for expert insights into female football performance and injury prevention.📌 Tag a coach, player, or physio who needs to hear this!
🎧 Listen now – Available on all major podcast platforms!
#WomensFootballHub #FootballScience #ConcussionAwareness #BrainHealth #WomenInSport #HeadingSafety #SportsPhysio #InjuryPrevention

#030 Breast Health Series - Professor Deirdre McGhee Sports bras and breast care

Women's Football Hub Podcast – Breast Health & Performance with Prof. Deirdre McGhee
🎙️ Host: Carolyn Kent🎙️ Guest: Professor Deirdre McGhee – Sports Physiotherapist, Researcher, and Educator at the University of Wollongong
Episode Overview
In this episode, Carolyn Kent speaks with Professor Deirdre McGhee, a leading expert in breast biomechanics and injury prevention in sport. With over 20 years of experience, Prof. McGhee has conducted pioneering research into breast health and its impact on athletic performance.
The discussion covers:✅ How breast movement affects performance and posture in female athletes✅ The importance of proper sports bra support for performance and injury prevention✅ Common issues athletes face with breast pain and injuries✅ Best practices for choosing and fitting a sports bra✅ How coaches and physiotherapists can support female athletes with breast health✅ The future of breast health research in women’s sport
Key Takeaways
🔹 Breast movement is significant: During an hour of running, breasts can bounce up to 10,000 times, affecting posture and muscle activation.🔹 Sports bras are essential sporting equipment: Wearing the right level of support can improve comfort, running efficiency, and overall performance.🔹 Common breast injuries: Impact injuries from contact sports, chafing, and cyclic breast pain can negatively affect athletes.🔹 How to choose a sports bra: Learn about crop tops, encapsulation bras, and hybrid bras, and how each type provides different levels of support.🔹 Coaches need to be involved: Educating male coaches on how to have safe conversations about breast health can help normalise the topic in women’s sport.
Resources Mentioned
📲 Breast Research Australia App – A free resource to help women find the right sports bra: www.bra.edu.au📚 Australian Institute of Sport Female Performance & Health Initiative (AIS FPHI): AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative – A great resource covering all aspects of female athlete health, including breast health.
Follow & Connect
📌 Follow Women’s Football Hub Podcast for more evidence-based discussions on women’s football and athlete well-being.📌 Connect with Prof. Deirdre McGhee via Breast Research Australia for more on her research and educational initiatives.
🎧 Listen now and learn how optimising breast support can improve athletic performance!

#029 Athletic development series - Ivi Casagrande Creating a high performance environment

Women's Football Hub Podcast – Episode with Ivi Casagrande
🎙 Host: Carolyn Kent🎙 Guest: Ivi Casagrande – Performance Coach, Former Brazil Women’s National Team and Orlando Pride Coach, FIFA & UEFA Technical Expert
Episode Overview
In this episode of Women's Football Hub, Carolyn Kent sits down with Ivi Casagrande, a performance coach with an impressive career spanning multiple continents. From playing football in Brazil to coaching at the highest levels with FIFA, UEFA, and the Football Association of Ireland, Ivi shares her unique journey in sports science, coaching, and leadership.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ Ivi's Journey in Football & Coaching
Growing up playing futsal in Brazil and her early football career
Moving to the U.S. to play college football and study exercise physiology
Transitioning from player to coach and her rise in elite performance coaching
✅ Coaching at the Highest Level
Working with the Brazilian Women’s National Team and Orlando Pride
Coaching world-class players like Marta and Alex Morgan
Overcoming imposter syndrome and growing as a professional
✅ Building a High-Performance Culture in Football
The importance of listening, adapting, and understanding different team environments
The role of intuition in coaching and player development
How to foster autonomy in athletes to enhance decision-making on the field
✅ Collaborating with Coaches & Managing Team Dynamics
Finding common ground with coaches who may not fully buy into sports science
The importance of negotiation, relationship-building, and understanding the pressures coaches face
How to create a strong team culture by aligning staff roles and priorities
✅ Mental Health & Work-Life Balance for Athletes
Strategies to help players disconnect from football and recharge
The impact of social media and 24/7 football culture on player well-being
Breathing techniques, mindfulness, and creative recovery methods for athletes
✅ The Future of Women's Football & Brazil Hosting the World Cup
How hosting the Women's World Cup could impact football development in Brazil
The importance of investing in grassroots football and legacy programs
Ivi’s hopes for the future of women's football globally
Connect with Ivi Casagrande
🌐 Website: CasagrandeCoaching.org📸 Instagram: @IviCasagrande
🔗 Follow Women's Football Hub for More!💻 Website: www.womensfootballhub.com📷 Instagram: @womens.football.hub
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#028 Masters athlete series - Dr Nicky Keay - Menopause and the older athlete

Women's Football Hub Podcast Episode Title: Understanding Menopause in Female Athletes with Dr. Nicky Keay
Episode Summary: In this episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Dr. Nicky Keay, a leading expert in female athlete health, honorary clinical lecturer at University College London, and author of Hormones, Health and Human Potential and The Myths of Menopause. They discuss the impact of menopause on female footballers, the physiological and psychological challenges it presents, and strategies for coaches, clubs, and players to manage training and recovery effectively.
Key Topics Discussed:
🔹 What is Menopause? – Understanding the physiological changes when the ovaries retire and hormone production stops.
🔹 Physical & Mental Effects – Common symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances, mood fluctuations, and anxiety.
🔹 Training Adaptations – How players and coaches can modify training and recovery to accommodate hormonal changes.
🔹 Coach Education – Encouraging male coaches to become comfortable discussing menopause and supporting players effectively.
🔹 Exercise & Menopause – Why strength training is crucial, but not the only form of exercise needed for menopausal athletes.
🔹 Fitting Exercise into a Busy Life – Practical tips for women juggling work, family, and training.
🔹 Psychological Wellbeing – How cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and journaling can help manage symptoms.
🔹 HRT: Myths & Facts – Common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how it can help manage symptoms.
🔹 Red-S & Menopause – The crossover between low energy availability (LEA), underfueling, and perimenopause in active women.
Resources & Further Reading:
📚 Hormones, Health and Human Potential – Dr. Nicky Keay
📚 The Myths of Menopause – Dr. Nicky Keay
🌍 Visit Dr. Keay’s Website for research, resources, and advisory consultations www.nickykeayfitness.com
 
Final Message: If you or someone you know is struggling with menopause and its impact on sports and daily life, reach out for support. Follow the latest evidence-based guidance and adapt training and recovery to fit individual needs.
 
🎧 Subscribe & Tune In Next Time Follow Women's Football Hub for more expert insights into women's football, health, and performance.

#027 Breast Health Series - Siobhan O Donovan - The impact of breast weight on posture

Episode Summary: Host Carolyn Kent speaks with Siobhan O’Donovan, physiotherapist and founder of Posture Fitting, about the vital role of breast health and posture in women’s performance. Siobhan, known as "The Boobie Physio," shares practical insights on managing breast weight, finding the right bra, and building internal support through posture and muscle activation.
 
Key Points: Breast Weight & Posture: How breast weight affects alignment and the importance of resisting gravity.
Support Systems: Combining internal activation (muscle strength) with properly fitted bras for optimal support.
Bra Fitting Tips: Common fitting mistakes, the importance of proper sizing, and differences between daywear and sports bras.
Impact on Sports: Breast-related discomfort as a barrier to participation and the role of education in keeping girls in sport.
Educational Initiatives: Siobhan’s Posture Fitting service and Gals Against Gravity course to raise awareness and provide practical solutions.
 
Connect with Siobhan O’Donovan:
Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn: @Posture.Fitting Email: Siobhan@PostureFittingPhysio.com
Phone: +353 87 POSTURE
 
Takeaway: Breast health is essential for performance, confidence, and posture. Proper support allows female athletes to reach their full potential.

#026 MSK Series -Hannah Antony - The physio turned patient - What's it like to tear your ACL?

Episode Summary: In this episode of Women's Football Hub, Carolyn Kent sits down with Hannah Antony, a senior physiotherapist from Alberta, Canada, and a medical content specialist. Hannah shares her personal journey through ACL injury and reconstruction, providing unique insights from both a patient's and a physiotherapist's perspective.
Topics covered include:
The mechanism of Hannah's ACL injury and her initial reaction.
Decision-making around surgical vs. non-surgical management of ACL injuries.
The challenges and milestones in post-operative rehab.
Psychological and physical aspects of returning to play after an ACL injury.
Key insights into injury prevention, including the importance of proper warm-ups.
How Hannah's experience led her to create an evidence-based eBook on ACL injuries.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of individualized rehab protocols tailored to patient needs.
Insights into Limb Symmetry Index and its role in return-to-play assessments.
The need for neurocognitive and sport-specific rehab components.
How ACL injuries can lead to broader contributions to physiotherapy and athlete education.
Resources Mentioned:
Hannah's eBook: hanphysio.com
Follow Hannah on Instagram: @hanphysio
Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn: Hannah Antony
Have a question about ACL injury prevention or rehab? Reach out to us or visit Hannah's website for more resources.

#025 Athletic Development Series - Rob Anderson Training Youth Athletes

Episode Title: Unlocking Youth Potential: Athletic Development with Rob Anderson
Episode Summary:In this episode of the Women's Football Hub podcast, Carolyn Kent is joined by Rob Anderson, BSc in Strength and Conditioning and MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology from St Mary's University. Rob was the 2024 UK Strength and Conditioning Association Coach of the Year for Youth Sports and is the founder of Athletic Evolution in Edinburgh.
Together, Carolyn and Rob dive deep into the importance of athletic development in youth sports, touching on key topics such as:
The critical role of movement quality and athletic development for young athletes.
How to balance training load and prevent overuse injuries in youth sports.
Misconceptions around strength training for female athletes.
The benefits of sampling multiple sports for better athletic performance.
Rob also shares his philosophy on how proper athletic development can minimise the gap between early and late maturers and provides practical tips for parents, coaches, and young athletes to get started.
Where to Find Rob Anderson:
Instagram: @_theathleteacademy
LinkedIn: Rob Anderson
Collaborate Sports Mentorship Program: 
Key Quote:"Better is better. More is not better. Focus on quality, not just quantity, in youth athletic development."
Don't Miss: Rob shares practical tips for building movement competence, balancing training loads, and why female athletes have so much to gain from strength training.

#024 Sports psychology series - Sarah Knapp Dealing with emotional regulation

Emotional Regulation in Women's Football with Sarah Knapp
In this episode of Women's Football Hub, Dr. Ian Cookson interviews Sarah Knapp from Northampton Town Women's Football Club. They discuss Sarah's unique journey into sport and exercise psychology, and focus on the topic of emotional regulation.
Sarah shares insights from her experience working with a football player, emphasizing the importance of normalising emotions and using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches. They cover practical techniques used during non-traditional pitch-side sessions and reflect on the significance of tailoring psychological support to each athlete's needs.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:42 Sarah Knapp's Background in Sport
02:02 Research and Applied Interventions
04:18 Case Study: Emotional Regulation
06:20 Understanding Emotional Regulation
08:12 Approaches and Challenges in Sport Psychology
17:53 Differences in Emotional Regulation: Men's vs. Women's Game
19:39 Gaps in Research and Final Thoughts
23:47 Conclusion and Contact Information