#033 Emerging PhD research Emma Sconce - Hamstring injuries

Women's Football Hub Podcast – MSK Physiotherapy Series 🎙 Episode Title: Emerging PhD Research on Hamstring Injury & Function 👩‍⚕️ Guest: Emma Sconce, Researcher & Former Footballer 🎧 Host: Carolyn Kent Episode Summary In this episode, Carolyn Kent sits down with Emma Sconce, a former footballer turned researcher, who has just completed her PhD at Sheffield Hallam University focusing on hamstring injuries and function in footballers. Emma shares insights from her journey as a player, her transition into teaching and research, and her mission to reduce injury risks in athletes. Key Topics Discussed ✅ Emma’s Journey in Football: From playing in the UK to experiencing the highly physical style of the U.S. game. ✅ Hamstring Injuries in Football: Why they are so common and the impact on performance. ✅ The Rise in Hamstring Injuries: How increased workload and game frequency may be contributing to injury rates. ✅ Predicting & Preventing Injuries: Emma’s PhD research into the Nordic hamstring exercise and breakpoint angles. ✅ Introducing HAL-HAM: A new device and system designed to measure hamstring function and reduce injuries. ✅ Practical Injury Prevention Tips: What players and coaches need to do to protect against hamstring injuries. Key Takeaways ⚽ Female players are at increasing risk of hamstring injuries – with research showing up to 12% of all football injuries involve the hamstrings. 💡 Recovery is challenging due to scar tissue and muscle weakness, increasing reinjury risk. 🦵 The Nordic hamstring exercise can reduce injury risk by up to 51% – but compliance remains an issue. 📊 Emma’s research aims to bridge the gap between science and real-world injury prevention through the HAL-HAM system. Resources & Further Reading 📖 Read Emma’s latest research on hamstring injury prevention. 🔗 Follow Emma on LinkedIn & X for research updates. 🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📢 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts using #WFHPodcast #WomensFootball #InjuryPrevention