In this episode, Carolyn Kent welcomes a special co-host, Emily Howarth, an MSc Physiotherapy student, for her first podcast appearance! Together, they interview Erin Griffiths, a PhD researcher working with Manchester United on ACL injury risk factors in women's football. Erin shares her academic journey, her transition into research, and what it's like conducting an industry-based PhD in a professional football environment.

Whether you're interested in sports science, women's football, injury prevention, or pursuing a PhD, this episode has valuable insights on navigating academia and sports research.

🔹 Erin’s Background & Research Journey – How she moved from an MSc in Medical Sciences to a PhD focused on ACL injuries in women's football. 🔹 Why Women's Football? – The gaps in research and why she chose to focus on female athletes. 🔹 Challenges in PhD Research – Ethics, adapting research methods, and working in an elite sports environment. 🔹 ACL Injury Risk Factors – Monitoring muscle strength, movement quality, and hormonal changes in female footballers. 🔹 Industry-Based PhD vs. Academic PhD – Working within a professional football club while conducting research. 🔹 Funding & Application Process – Advice for students considering a PhD, including securing funding and writing strong proposals. 🔹 Balancing Research & Personal Life – How Erin manages the demands of PhD research, club work, and her own well-being.

✅ Building Relationships is Key – Researching in a professional club requires strong communication skills. ✅ Expect Research to Evolve – Initial plans often change, so adaptability is crucial. ✅ PhDs are Challenging but Rewarding – You need to be passionate about your topic to sustain long-term motivation. ✅ Women’s Football Needs More Research – Now is the time to contribute to evidence-based practices in the sport. ✅ Networking is Essential – Use LinkedIn and reach out to professionals in your field.

🔗 LinkedIn: Erin Griffiths (Search her name!)

🔗 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean 📢 Follow Women’s Football Hub for more insightful episodes on research, injury prevention, and performance in women’s football.

📲 Connect with us on Social Media! 🌍 Twitter: @_WFootballhub 📸 Instagram: @Womens.Football.Hub 🎥 TikTok: @Womens.Football.Hub

🎙️ Interested in PhD research or ACL injury prevention? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Episode: The History & Future of Women’s Football with Clare McEwen

🎙️ Host: Carolyn Kent 🎙️ Guest: Clare McEwen – Freelance Sports Writer, Author of She Can Kick It, and Health Researcher at Oxford University

In this episode, Carolyn Kent welcomes Clare McEwen, author of She Can Kick It, a book that delves into the rich and often overlooked history of women's football. Clare shares her own journey as a football-loving girl growing up in Cornwall, explores key moments in the women's game, and discusses how history continues to shape the sport today.

📖 From bans and discrimination to the rise of the Lionesses, this conversation uncovers how far the game has come and where it’s headed next.

✅ How gender stereotyping shaped the history of women’s football ✅ The ban on women’s football and how it affected generations of players ✅ The role of the medical profession in restricting women’s participation in sport ✅ The impact of Title IX in the U.S. and how it helped grow women’s soccer ✅ How the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup changed the game forever ✅ Why the 2022 Euros was a game-changer for women’s football ✅ The future of investment in the women’s game and its business potential

⚽ Women’s football was deliberately held back for decades, yet still thrived despite restrictions. ⚽ Visibility matters – Young girls need role models to inspire them in sport. ⚽ Investment drives success – Without proper funding, the women’s game cannot grow. ⚽ The fight for equality isn’t over – Cultural and systemic barriers still impact the sport today.

📚 Clare’s Book: She Can Kick It – Available on Amazon 📖 More on Women’s Football History: Learn about Carol Thomas, Mia Hamm, and the 1999ers 📲 Follow Clare McEwen for updates on her latest projects

📌 Follow Women’s Football Hub Podcast for more expert discussions on the women’s game. 📌 Tag a football fan who needs to hear this!

🎧 Listen now – Available on all major podcast platforms!

#WomensFootballHub #WomenInSport #FootballHistory #SheCanKickIt #Lionesses #EqualGame #FootballForAll #Hergametoo

🎙 Guest: Dr. Amanda Jagielo 🎤 Host: Carolyn Kent

In this episode of the Women’s Football Hub podcast, host Carolyn Kent sits down with Dr. Amanda Jagielo, a sports medicine expert and researcher specialising in sports footwear. Dr. Jagielo shares groundbreaking insights into how football boots (or soccer cleats) impact female athletes’ performance, injury risk, and overall game experience. She also discusses her scoping review on cleat design and the crucial need for gender-specific football boots.

⚽ Football Boots and Injury Risk

• Dr. Jagielo’s research highlights how current boot designs can contribute to common injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and even other injuries.

• Many female players experience increased ground reaction forces and higher plantar pressures compared to men, which could be linked to boot design.

👟 Why Women's Boots Are Just ‘Shrunk’ Men’s Boots

• Historically, women’s football boots have been scaled-down versions of men’s boots, ignoring anatomical differences.

• Most cleats are based on an adult Caucasian male foot shape, which doesn’t accommodate the wider forefoot and narrower heel seen in female athletes.

🧐 The Importance of Stud Configuration and Boot Stiffness

• Bladed studs may increase rotational torque and risk of injuries, while conical studs may provide better force distribution.

• Increased bending stiffness in boot design can limit natural joint movement and shock absorption, potentially leading to more injuries.

🏟️ The Impact of Artificial Pitches on Footwear

• Artificial turf increases plantar pressures, exacerbating issues with current cleat designs.

• Many players don’t switch to artificial turf-specific boots due to access, cost, or habit, increasing their injury risk.

🚀 The Future of Women’s Football Boots

• Ida Sports is leading the charge in designing gender-specific boots with wider toe boxes, increased arch support, and better traction.

• Dr. Jagielo advocates for more investment, research, and changes in industry standards to prioritise injury prevention and performance.

📌 LinkedIn: Dr. Amanda Jagielo 📌 Twitter: @TheVeganAT 📌 Live Presentation: Isokinetic Conference, Madrid, 2-5th May 2025

🎧 Catch this episode and more on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to support women’s football!

📢 Join the conversation: What do you think about the current state of women’s football boots? Let us know in the comments on social media! #WFHPodcast #WomensFootball #FootballBoots