FIFA is stepping in to tackle a growing crisis in women’s football: the rise in ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries. The world football body has announced funding for a major year-long study investigating whether hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle could be putting female players at higher risk.

The research, which kicks off next month at Kingston University London, aims to uncover whether natural shifts in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone are affecting players’ biomechanics and injury susceptibility.

Female Players at Higher Risk

Statistics have long shown that women are up to six times more likely to suffer ACL injuries than their male counterparts. High-profile stars like Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, and Sam Kerr have all been sidelined by the injury in recent seasons, highlighting the urgent need for answers.

“We’re trying to understand if hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are contributing to a higher risk of injury,” said Simon Augustus, senior lecturer in sport biomechanics at Kingston University. “It’s not just about impact injuries—some are happening without contact. That’s where we might be able to intervene.”

Hormones, Performance, and Prevention

The research will involve players from both elite London clubs—including Chelsea and Fulham—and grassroots teams. Athletes will have their blood and physical performance regularly tested, with hormone levels tracked throughout their cycles.

The focus will be on oestrogen and progesterone—hormones suspected of affecting ligament flexibility and neuromuscular response. Players will also be studied while performing movements that often lead to ACL tears, such as sudden turns and awkward landings after headers.

Augustus noted that identifying injury-prone phases of the cycle could help coaches and trainers adapt workouts or techniques to lower the risk.

Beyond the Pitch: A Broader Health Question

This FIFA-backed project builds on earlier findings. A 2024 peer-reviewed study by researchers from University College London, Bath, and St Mary’s University found that players were six times more likely to suffer muscle injuries in the days leading up to their periods compared to during menstruation.

Other institutions are also stepping in. The PFA, Fifpro, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University have launched a separate three-year study focused on external risk factors—like training conditions, travel schedules, staff ratios, and access to safe pitches.

Issues such as poorly designed boots, inadequate equipment, and low-quality playing surfaces have also been flagged.

Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, is conducting its own internal review to ensure that the new stadium for their women’s team meets professional safety standards.

Why It Matters

For many women in football, this research is not just about returning to play—it’s about staying in the game. ACL injuries are career-threatening, especially in environments where medical support and rehabilitation resources are unevenly distributed.

With the sport growing rapidly in popularity and visibility, experts say it's time for the infrastructure and science around the women’s game to catch up.

“This is about treating female athletes as individuals, not just scaling men's protocols down,” Augustus said. “The goal is smarter, safer football for everyone.


By WafricNews Sports Desk | April 29, 2025