A Groundbreaking Investigation Into Female Athlete Injuries

Could hormone variations throughout the menstrual cycle make players more vulnerable to serious knee injuries? That’s what a new FIFA-funded study aims to find out. The research, based at Kingston University near London, will seek to determine whether the physiological changes linked to the menstrual cycle increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in women’s football.

Led by PhD candidate Blake Rivers and a team of sports science experts, the one-year study will track blood samples from both elite and grassroots players to monitor hormone levels across different phases of their cycles.

The project was sparked by a recent spike in ACL injuries among high-profile athletes. Players like Beth Mead (Arsenal), Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City) and Sam Kerr (Chelsea) have all suffered major ACL tears. Kerr, for example, has now been sidelined for 15 months.

Understanding Hormonal Impact on Performance and Risk

The researchers will focus on estrogen and progesterone—hormones previously associated with increased ligament laxity and reduced neuromuscular response times. The goal is to identify how these fluctuations might influence injury risk and physical performance.

“We want to explore whether athletes are more prone to injury due to functional changes in their anatomy and physiology during the menstrual cycle,” explained Simon Augustus, senior lecturer in sports biomechanics. “Some injuries can’t be avoided, but in certain cases, there’s room to intervene through strength training or technical adjustments.”

Starting in June, the study will involve players from London-based clubs like Chelsea and Fulham, who will visit the university campus regularly for physical and blood testing.

Researchers will also analyze typical ACL injury scenarios, such as landing after headers or sudden directional shifts, in an effort to correlate those actions with hormonal phases.

Ultimately, the findings could provide coaching and medical staff with tools to tailor training loads and individual programs according to each player’s cycle. The aim is not only to reduce injury risk but also to better understand how women’s physiology should inform performance strategies in elite sport.