Aim: This study aims to scope available peer-reviewed literature published in a FIFA language to understand the current quantity of research on women’s football. Methods: Five databases were searched on the 15/12/2019. Studies were included when containing original research published in a peer-reviewed journal around female competitive football of any level, any age and on any subject. Author, journal, title and abstract of all included studies were scoped. Population assessed number of participants, level of play, age level of football and publication theme(s) were extracted. Results: A total of 1,634 articles were scoped. The oldest publication dated back to 1939, whilst a total of 202 studies were gathered from 2019. The publication theme most frequently researched was sports medicine (N = 521) followed by strength and conditioning (N = 331) and sociology (N = 299). The majority of studies has focussed on elite (N = 442), senior (N = 977) players. Conclusion: A continuous growth in research attention has been seen. However, the numbers are not comparable to current research output levels in men’s football. This study represents an essential first step in a larger ‘research agenda-setting’ project to determine research priorities for women’s football during the next 10 years.

The increased growth, popularity, and media interest in women’s sport has led to calls for greater prioritisation of female-specific research and innovation. In response, science and medicine researchers have increased the volume of sport-related studies investigating female-specific matters, such as the menstrual cycle. Whilst the accelerated rate of published studies with female participants is welcome, the emerging trend of using assumed or estimated menstrual cycle phases to characterise ovarian hormone profiles is a significant concern. Replacing direct measurements of key characteristics of the menstrual cycle (e.g. the surge in luteinising hormone prior to ovulation via urine detection and sufficient luteal phase progesterone via blood or saliva sampling) with assumptions or estimates (i.e. no measurements) is proposed to be a pragmatic and convenient way of generating data, particularly in field-based research (i.e. elite athlete environments), where time, resources, and athlete availability are sometimes constrained. Using assumed or estimated phases, however, amounts to guessing the occurrence and timing of ovarian hormone fluctuations and risks potentially significant implications for female athlete health, training, performance, injury, etc., as well as resource deployment. The positive intentions of researchers and scientific journals in this space are not in question. The aim of this Current Opinion is to explain why using assumed or estimated menstrual cycle phases is an approach that has little scientific basis and lacks the rigour and appropriate methodological quality to produce valid and reliable data. In doing so, we provide evidence-based responses to common speculation points and offer recommendations for future research.

Objectives: This study assesses how female footballers perceive how their menstrual cycle impacts their physical and psychological performance, informing future research and intervention. Methods: Semi-structured interviews, developed using piloting and peer review took place with fifteen elite female footballers from two English WSL clubs (age: 25.2 [18–33]). Data was audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using NVivo. Results: All players (100%) perceive their menstrual cycle to negatively impact performance. Analysing 27,438 words of data revealed five themes: A) symptoms, B) preparation, C) performance, D) recovery, and E) management. Over half (53%) of players experienced decreased appetite and sleep quality prior to performance during menstruation. Competitive performance was perceived to be most negatively impacted during menses (54 references) following by the pre-menstrual stage (23 references). During menstruation, the most impacted physical performance indicators were power (93%) and fatigue (87%). Psychologically, confidence, focus, and reaction to criticism were commonly affected (66.7%). Players reported missing training (13.3%) and matches (13.3%) due to severity of impact. Recovery was affected during the pre-menstrual (26.7%) and menstrual (66.7) stages. Players self-manage symptoms using over the counter (66.7%) and prescription (26.7%) medication, some prophylactically prior to competition (46.7%). Conclusions: This first attempt to ascertain player perception in football exposes a clear negative impact on performance. The complex interplay of biopsychosocial and logistical factors, lack of awareness and education highlight the need for further research. Intervention is necessary and immediate initiation would be prudent, starting with simple measures such as basic self-management advice, education, and provision of sanitary products.

Background: The number of retirements, withdrawals, and “lucky losers” (the replacement of a player who withdraws before the start of the tournament by a losing player from the qualifying round) from professional tennis tournaments has increased, but the reasons behind such departures have not yet been analyzed. An official consensus statement has been conducted to allow a general categorization of injuries in tennis. Purpose: To determine the reasons for departure and injury rates in professional tennis. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: All reasons for departures were collected from official Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) web pages. All tournaments apart from the 4 major competitions (the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) were included for the period 2001-2012 for men and women. Personal data, tournament information, surface, match setting, date, and reason were obtained for each departure scenario. Results: Variations in departure and injury rates were seen throughout the season. Women left and were injured significantly more than men. Women mainly left because of thigh injuries, whereas men left mainly because of back injuries. Playing surface only had an influence on the risk of lower back injuries. Only women’s departures were affected by the tournament round. Conclusion: A high number of departures from tournaments have occurred during the past 10 years on the ATP and WTA circuits. Injuries were the main reasons of these departures, regardless of the type of departure and player sex. The back and thigh were the main locations of injuries for men and women, respectively.

This study (1) assessed the impact different stages of the menstrual cycle has on experienced football performance and exercise ability (2) identified the experienced barriers to football participation menstruation presents in amateur women footballers. An online survey was used. The inclusion criteria were non-professional, women currently experiencing regular menstrual cycles, ≥18 years, ≥60 min football/week in the UK. Descriptive statistics were performed on quantitative data and thematic analysis of the open-ended questions. 127 responses were included. Most of the respondents were aged between 18–25 (89%), Caucasian (83%) and competing in Universities Leagues (69%). Menstruation was reported to “never” limit football playing in 17%, “sometimes” in 47%, “rarely” in 25% and “always” in 10% of respondents. The majority (73%) reported one or more barriers menstruation present to football participation. Following thematic analysis, 165 meaning units, 23 themes and seven categories were identified. Confidence and aerobic capacity/endurance were identified to be the aspects most negatively impacted during the pre-menstrual and menstrual stages. Confidence is likely to be negatively impacted due to the barriers identified. Thus, recommendations on how to reduce these through education of players and involved staff, at the club and the FA level have been made.

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