The Current State of Research in Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Kat Okholm Kryger, a researcher with UEFA, to break down the current state of research in women's football and what still needs to be done to truly support the women's game with high-quality evidence. Kat shares insights from her work connecting researchers and practitioners, highlighting how research questions should come directly from the needs of the football environment and be translated into practical tools that can be applied on the pitch. This conversation explores where the evidence base is strong, where it is lacking, and how common narratives in women's football are not always supported by the research. Topics include: • The current landscape of research in women's football and key gaps • Why injury research dominates and what is still missing • Why we cannot simply apply research from the men's game • The difference between lack of evidence and evidence that does not support a claim • Menstrual cycle research and common misconceptions in practice • The reality of ACL injury trends and the "epidemic" narrative • Why prevention strategies exist but are not consistently implemented • The importance of translating research into practical application • Barriers between researchers and practitioners • Future priorities for research including global representation and better quality studies Kat also discusses the role of technology in women's football, including equipment design, football boots, and how poor fit can impact both performance and injury risk. This episode is essential listening for practitioners in sports medicine, sport science, strength and conditioning, and coaching who want to better understand how to apply evidence-based practice in women's football.   👉 Subscribe to Femme FC for more conversations connecting research, performance, and women's football. ✨ Femme Football Collective: Elevating the Game, Empowering the Experts.   JOIN THE COLLECTIVE: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femmefootballcollective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femme-football-collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femmefc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FemmeFootballCollective Website: https://femmefc.com     Continue your learning at the Soccer Performance Support Summit this June in New Jersey! Learn from and connect with practitioners across the NWSL, MLS, and NCAA! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator