Sleep isn’t just rest it’s a performance enhancer. In this episode of Women's Football Hub, Carolyn Kent talks to Dr. Kirstie Anderson, a leading sleep specialist and neurologist, about the science behind sleep and its impact on football. We dive into why sleep matters for memory, mood, and recovery, how it affects injury risk, and what female athletes need to know about hormonal changes and aging. Plus, we bust myths about magnesium, discuss the truth about wearables, and share practical strategies for managing jet lag and optimizing circadian rhythm.

Whether you’re an elite player, a coach, or a walking footballer, this episode offers actionable advice to help you prioritise sleep for peak performance.

Listen now and subscribe for more evidence-based insights!

#SleepForAthletes #WomenInFootball #SportsScience #AthleteHealth #FootballPodcast #PerformanceRecovery #SleepMatters #CircadianRhythm #JetLagTips

When footballers get injured, the first instinct is often to cut calories but is that the right move? In this episode, Carolyn Kent talks with sports nutritionist Phil Woodbridge about why nutrition matters during recovery and how athletes can avoid common mistakes.

Topics include:

• Energy balance and why healing costs calories
• Protein’s role in preventing muscle loss
• Carbs and fats - how to adjust your plate when sidelined
• Omega-3s and inflammation: when to supplement
• Practical advice for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans

Phil also shares insights from his PhD research on amateur footballers and injury recovery. If you’re a player, coach, or parent, this episode is your go-to guide for smarter nutrition during injury.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Hashtags: #SportsNutrition #FootballRecovery #WomenInSport #NutritionTips #InjuryRecovery #ProteinForAthletes #FootballPodcast

In this episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent is joined by Christos Pippas, a physiotherapist and PhD researcher specialising in longstanding groin pain. Together, they unpack the complexities of groin injuries in football, including adductor, iliopsoas, pubic, and inguinal-related pain.

Christos shares insights from his research and clinical experience, offering practical advice on assessment, rehabilitation, and the importance of tailoring treatment to each athlete. The episode also highlights the lack of research in women’s football and the need for more inclusive studies.

Perfect for physiotherapists, coaches, and players, this episode bridges the gap between evidence and practice.

#GroinPain #FootballInjuries #SportsMedicine #Physiotherapy #CopenhagenExercise #InjuryPrevention #WomensFootball #ClinicalPractice #CarolynKent #ChristosPippas

In this episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent speaks with PhD researcher Wyatt Hampstead about his recent study analyzing 208 ACL injuries across professional women's football. They discuss why most ACL injuries happen in the first half, the biomechanical and tactical factors at play, and how fatigue both acute and chronic may be influencing injury risk.

Wyatt shares insights into the use of public data, the importance of warm-up protocols, and the gendered nature of injury environments. Whether you're a coach, player, or professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways for injury prevention and athlete care.

Topics Covered:

• ACL injury timing and match intensity
• Tactical implications and neuromuscular fatigue
• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis explained
• Gendered environments and training access
• Practical advice for young players and medical teams

Follow us: www.womensfootballhub.com

Hashtags: #ACLInjury #WomensFootball #SportsScience #InjuryPrevention #Fatigue #FootballResearch #WyattHampstead #CarolynKent #FootballPodcast #SoccerInjury #NeuromuscularFatigue #KaplanMeier #PerformPlus #FIFA11Plus #FootballMedicine

In this episode of the Women's Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent is joined by Dr. Stephanie Adams, neuropsychologist and founder of concussED, to discuss the evolution of concussion guidance in grassroots sport over the past decade.

From the tragic story of Benjamin Robinson to the development of the GRASP program and the 2024 UK-wide concussion protocols, this episode offers vital insights for coaches, parents, players, and educators. Dr. Adams shares her research journey, the challenges of changing behaviour through education, and the importance of early intervention and cultural change in sport.

Whether you're pitch-side or classroom-based, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in youth and grassroots sport.

Follow us: 🔗 www.womensfootballhub.com 📱 @concuss_edu 📚 Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance available via SportScotland

#ConcussionEducation #GrassrootsFootball #WomenInSport #Neuropsychology #GRASPProtocol #SportsSafety #Podcast

In this episode of the Women's Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Tracey Smith, founder of Player Care Support Services, about the essential role of off-pitch support in football. From helping players settle into new countries to supporting their families and mental wellbeing, Tracey shares her experience working across male and female academies and professional teams.

We discuss:

• The importance of holistic player care
• Cultural and language challenges for international players
• Gender differences in academy support structures
• How clubs can better invest in their players off the pitch
• Real-life success stories and practical advice for clubs and players

Whether you're a coach, player, or football enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the human side of the game.

#WomensFootball #PlayerCare #FootballSupport #MentalHealth #FootballAcademy #FootballPodcast #CarolynKent #TraceySmith #PCSS #WomenInSport #FootballTransitions

In this episode of the Women's Football Hub Podcast, Dr. Ian Cookson is joined by Lucy Burdin, a freelance sports psychologist with experience at Arsenal Women’s Academy and London City Lionesses. Together, they explore the psychological demands of goalkeeping, the impact of trauma and somatic psychology on athletes, and how attachment theory plays out in sporting environments.

Lucy shares her journey into trauma-informed practice, the importance of building trust with athletes, and how being present can transform performance and wellbeing. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this episode offers valuable insights into the human side of sport.

Connect with Lucy:

• Instagram: @thesupportpsych
• Website: thesupportpsychologist.com
• LinkedIn: The Support Psychologist

Support the Hub: www.womensfootballhub.com

#SportsPsychology #TraumaInSport #SomaticPsychology #GoalkeeperMindset #Women'sFootball #MentalHealthInSport #LucyBurdin #FootballPodcast #AthleteWellbeing #PsychologyInFootball

In this episode of the Women's Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent is joined by Harry Watson, Women's Goalkeeping Talent Coach at the FA, to shine a spotlight on the art and science of identifying and developing goalkeeping talent in the women's game.

They discuss:

• The FA’s “Discover My Talent” initiative
• Why early specialisation can be risky
• The evolving standards of goalkeeping in the WSL
• The impact of role models like Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton
• The myth of shrinking goal sizes
• How grassroots clubs can better support young goalkeepers

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about women's football, youth development, or the goalkeeper position.

#WomensFootball #Goalkeeping #FA #TalentID #WSL #Lionesses #YouthFootball #FootballDevelopment #GoalkeeperUnion #CarolynKent #HarryWatson #DiscoverMyTalent #ChatGPT