Gloucestershire professor's study on knee injuries in female footballers highlighted by UEFA

A study conducted by Professor Mark De Ste Croix at the University of Gloucestershire is gaining international recognition through UEFA's anniversary publication on game-changing research over 15 years.

Entitled ‘Protect her knee: Exploring the role of football-specific fatigue on dynamic knee stability in female youth football players,’ the study illuminates significant physical challenges faced by female footballers due to increased professionalisation and match intensity.

Focusing on young athletes during puberty, Professor De Ste Croix’s research addresses the heightened risk of knee injuries, particularly to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during rapid growth and hormonal changes.

The study revealed how fatigue severely affects joint stability, prompting integration of specific landing techniques in training to safeguard athletes under pressure.

Influencing international safeguarding programmes, these findings have led to proactive injury prevention initiatives like the Move Well, Be Strong programme, first established in Gloucestershire.

This programme has expanded across various sports and countries, training over 5,000 grassroots coaches and PE teachers to foster resilience and reduce injury risks.

Professor De Ste Croix expressed pride in UEFA's recognition of the research's impact on injury risk reduction and advancing women's football research, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding future athletes.

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