An innovative study funded by the FIFA at Kingston University will investigate whether hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles could contribute to an alarming increase in knee injury that put their career in women’s football.
Research comes after players included Arsenal‘s Beth Mead, Manchester City‘s Vivianne Miedema and Chelsea‘s Sam kerr They suffered serious injuries of the previous cross ligament (ACL), which is run diagonally in the middle of the knee.
Kerr, who is Australian, It takes 15 months off With a broken ACL.
Directed by the doctoral student Blake Rivers with a team of sports science experts, the study throughout the year in Kingston near London will analyze elite blood samples and grassroots footballers to track hormonal rallies through their menstrual cycles.
“We want to examine whether athletes can be more predisposed to injuries because of functional changes in terms of their anatomy and physiology during the menstrual cycle,” said Simon Augustus, senior professor of sports biomechanics.
“We know that hormones fluctuate during different stages of the cycle, but we still do not know how much influence can be in the risk of injury.”
The research team will specify specifically the levels of estrogen and progesterone-hormones previously linked to an increase in laxity of the ligament and decrease of neuromuscular-further reaction times refer to physical performance data.
As of June, the study will hire footballers from London clubs including Chelsea and Fulm For regular campus visits for blood tests and physical performance.
Researchers will also analyze common ACL injury scenarios, including landing mechanics after leading the ball and rapid direction changes, to identify potential correlations with hormonal states.
“We know that some injuries are inevitable, but we are trying to help those people who injure their ACL out of impact actions; those that could have more opportunity to intervene and prevent them from using strength or adjustment technique,” Augustus said.
“There are so many different factors involved with ACL lesions. We are starting to investigate this from an individual approach and look at an entire profile of an athlete and put in place protocols to reduce risk.”
The results could allow coaches to modify training loads or individual programs depending on the stages of the menstrual cycle.