Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Ten questions in sports engineering: technology in elite women’s football

  • Invited Paper
  • Published:
Sports Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of technology in football is increasing, although, products predominantly focus on men’s football in performance, safety, comfort, and fit considerations. A recent scoping review identified just 32 published scientific articles on technology in women’s football, despite demands of those playing/working in the women’s game increasing. We wish to highlight the progressions made so far and barriers remaining in the elite women’s football technology to shed a light on this topic and prod researchers and manufacturers to help support the evolution of women’s-football-focussed technological considerations. The ten questions presented in this paper address the generic question on whether women’s specific tailoring is needed (Question 1) as well as addressing specific questions on football technology and engineering, such as the progressions made and ongoing issues in the following areas: football kits, religious considerations (hijab designs), sports bras, football boots, balls, football pitches, performance tracking devices, menstrual cycle tracking devices (Question 2–10). It is evidence that certain areas have received more attention than others and with these ten questions we hope to steer readers towards research and engineering gaps for future work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  1. UEFA (2022) the business case for women’s football. accessed on 27 sep 2022. https://editorial.uefa.com.resources/0278-15e121074702-C9be7dcd0a29-1000/business_case_for_womens_football-external_report1.pdf

  2. Benson E, Rajulu S (2009) Complexity of sizing for space suit applications. In: Duffy VG (ed) Digital Human Modeling. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 599–607

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Kahlenberg B, Corroll D, Cristea O et al (2021) Urologic innovation in the spaceflight environment: challenges, opportunities, and future directions. Med Res Arch 9:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ascott A, Crowest P, de Sausmarez E et al (2021) Respiratory personal protective equipment for healthcare workers: impact of sex differences on respirator fit test results. BJA Br J Anaesth 126:e48–e49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.10.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Okholm Kryger K, Wang A, Mehta R et al (2022) Can we evidence-base injury prevention and management in women’s football? A scoping review. Res Sports Med. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2022.2038161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Almulla J, Takiddin A, Househ M (2020) The use of technology in tracking soccer players’ health performance: a scoping review. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 20:184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-020-01156-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kulessa DJ, Gollhofer A, Gehring D (2017) The influence of football shoe characteristics on athletic performance and injury risk—a review. Footwear Sci 9:49–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2017.1284273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Reilly T, Gilbourne D (2003) Science and football: a review of applied research in the football codes. J Sports Sci 21:693–705. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000102105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Garry T (2022) FA to consider white shorts U-turn after England’s women raise period fears. The Telegraph. Accessed 27 Sep 2022 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/07/09/fa-consider-white-shorts-u-turn-englands-women-raise-period/

  10. Kessel A (2018) If the boot doesn’t fit then female footballers should have an alternative. The Guardian. Accessed on 27 Sep 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/jun/20/boot-fit-female-footballers-marketing-mens.

  11. Christenson M (2019) England women reveal bespoke new kit for 2019 World Cup. The Guardian.  Accessed on 27 Sep 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/11/england-women-bespoke-kit-2019-world-cup.

  12. Weaving C (2017) Breaking down the myth and curse of women athletes: enough is enough. Period Women Sport Phys Act J 25:43–49. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2016-0010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Findlay RJ, Macrae EHR, Whyte IY et al (2020) How the menstrual cycle and menstruation affect sporting performance: experiences and perceptions of elite female rugby players. Br J Sports Med 54:1108–1113. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ahmad A (2011) British football: where are the Muslim female footballers? Exploring the connections between gender, ethnicity and Islam. Soccer Soc 12:443–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2011.568110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ryan CR (2012) The politics of FIFA and the Hijab. In: Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/02/28/the-politics-of-fifa-and-the-hijab/. Accessed 28 Feb 2022

  16. Prouse C (2015) Harnessing the hijab: the emergence of the Muslim Female Footballer through international sport governance. Gend Place Cult 22:20–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2013.832664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Al Saied N, Creedon P (2021) Chapter 4: women’s sports and fashion in Arab Gulf countries. In: Fuller LK (ed) Sportswomen’s apparel around the world: uniformly discussed. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 69–82

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  18. Hamzeh M (2017) FIFA’s double hijabophobia: a colonialist and Islamist alliance racializing Muslim women soccer players. Womens Stud Int Forum 63:11–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2017.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Shirazi F (2021) CHAPTER 7 Sportswear, Lingerie, and Accessories—the Islamic Way. In: CHAPTER 7 Sportswear, Lingerie, and Accessories—the Islamic Way. University of Texas Press, Texas, pp 175–198

  20. Shivitz N (2001) Adaptation of vertical ground reaction force due to changes in breast support in running.  accessed on 27 sep 2022 https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/9880vs96k

  21. White JL, Scurr JC, Smith NA (2009) The effect of breast support on kinetics during overground running performance. Ergonomics 52:492–498. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130802707907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Milligan A, Mills C, Corbett J, Scurr J (2015) The influence of breast support on torso, pelvis and arm kinematics during a five kilometer treadmill run. Hum Mov Sci 42:246–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.05.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Milligan A, Mills C, Scurr J (2014) The effect of breast support on upper body muscle activity during 5 km treadmill running. Hum Mov Sci 38:74–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2014.06.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. White JL, Lunt H, Scurr J (2011) The effect of breast support on ventilation and breast comfort perception at the onset of exercise. In: In Proceedings of the BASES annual conference. BASES, Essex

  25. McGhee DE, Steele JR (2020) Biomechanics of breast support for active women. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 48:99–109. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Brisbine BR, Steele JR, Phillips EJ, McGhee DE (2020) Breast pain affects the performance of elite female athletes. J Sports Sci 38:528–533. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1712016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Brisbine B (2019) Breast pain and breast injuries experienced by female athletes. Univ Wollongong Thesis Collect 2017

  28. Campbell TE, Munro BJ, Wallace GG, Steele JR (2007) Can fabric sensors monitor breast motion. J Biomech 40:3056–3059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2007.01.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Geddes L (2021) 'They’re not treating us a small men’: Team GB women get the right bras. The Guardian. Accessed on  27 Sep 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/18/theyre-not-treating-us-as-small-men-team-gb-women-get-the-right-bras.

  30. Thomson A (2020) Same same, but different? Should football boot selection be a consideration after ACLR. Aspetar Sports Med J 9:50–55

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kinchington MA, Ball KA, Naughton G (2011) Effects of footwear on comfort and injury in professional rugby league. J Sports Sci 29:1407–1415. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.593041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Miller JE, Nigg BM, Liu W et al (2000) Influence of foot, leg and shoe characteristics on subjective comfort. Foot Ankle Int Am Orthop Foot Ankle Soc Swiss Foot Ankle Soc 21:759–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Mündermann A, Stefanyshyn DJ, Nigg BM (2001) Relationship between footwear comfort of shoe inserts and anthropometric and sensory factors. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:1939–1945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Nigg BM, Nurse MA, Stefanyshyn DJ (1999) Shoe inserts and orthotics for sport and physical activities. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:S421-428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Williams AE, Nester CJ (2006) Patient perceptions of stock footwear design features. Prosthet Orthot Int 30:61–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Santos D, Carline T, Flynn L et al (2001) Distribution of in-shoe dynamic plantar foot pressures in professional football players. Foot 11:10–14. https://doi.org/10.1054/foot.2000.0640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Krauss I, Valiant G, Horstmann T, Grau S (2010) Comparison of female foot morphology and last design in athletic footwear—are men’s lasts appropriate for women? Res Sports Med Print 18:140–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438621003627216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Krauss I, Grau S, Mauch M et al (2008) Sex-related differences in foot shape. Ergonomics 51:1693–1709. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130802376026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Thomson A, Whiteley R, Bleakley C (2015) Higher shoe-surface interaction is associated with doubling of lower extremity injury risk in football codes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 49:1245–1252. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-094478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Villwock MR, Meyer EG, Powell JW et al (2009) Football playing surface and shoe design affect rotational traction. Am J Sports Med 37:518–525. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546508328108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Lucarno S, Zago M, Buckthorpe M et al (2021) Systematic video analysis of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in professional female soccer players. Am J Sports Med 49:1794–1802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Bisciotti GN, Chamari K, Cena E et al (2019) Anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors in football. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 59:1724–1738. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09563-X

  43. Garry T (2021) Why footwear gender gap must be tackled. In: The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/04/23/footwear-gender-gap-must-tackled/. Accessed 4 Aug 2022

  44. Mears AC, Osei-Owusu P, Harland AR et al (2018) Perceived links between playing surfaces and injury: a worldwide study of elite association football players. Sports Med—Open 4:40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-018-0155-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Geertsema C, Geertsema L, Farooq A et al (2021) Injury prevention knowledge, beliefs and strategies in elite female footballers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. Br J Sports Med. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Roberts JR, Osei-Owusu P, Mears AC, Harland AR (2020) Elite players’ perceptions of football playing surfaces: a qualitative study. Res Q Exerc Sport 91:239–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2019.1660757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Harris R (2019) FIFA will not allow artificial fields at 2023 Women’s WCup. In: AP NEWS. https://apnews.com/article/c54d2025b7c84ad982240d860b3a91dd. Accessed 4 Aug 2022

  48. Hill J (2014) Why FIFA Is Snubbing Its Top Women Stars. In: ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/fifa-snubbing-top-women-stars/story?id=25948778. Accessed 4 Aug 2022

  49. Alba M (2015) U.S. Soccer Star Abby Wambach: Playing on Turf a “Nightmare.” In: NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/artificial-turf-debate/us-soccer-star-abby-wambach-playing-turf-nightmare-n371906. Accessed 4 Aug 2022

  50. Spillerforeningen, NISO and Spelarföreningen (2019) Playing surfaces in the professional football leagues in Scandinavia. Spillerforeningen. Accessed on 27 Sep 2022 https://spillerforeningen.dk/media/112453/playing-surface-in-the-professional-leagues-in-scandinavia.pdf

  51. James IT (2011) Advancing natural turf to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part P J Sports Eng Technol 225:115–129

  52. Andersen TB, Krustrup P, Bendiksen M et al (2016) Kicking velocity and effect on match performance when using a smaller, lighter ball in women’s football. Int J Sports Med 37:966–972. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-109542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Andersen TB, Bendiksen M, Pedersen JM et al (2012) Kicking velocity and physical, technical, tactical match performance for U18 female football players–effect of a new ball. Hum Mov Sci 31:1624–1638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2012.07.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Dick RW (2009) Is there a gender difference in concussion incidence and outcomes? Br J Sports Med 43:i46–i50. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2009.058172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Vedung F, Hänni S, Tegner Y et al (2020) Concussion incidence and recovery in Swedish elite soccer—prolonged recovery in female players. Scand J Med Sci Sports 30:947–957. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Rubin TG, Catenaccio E, Fleysher R et al (2018) MRI-defined white matter microstructural alteration associated with soccer heading is more extensive in women than men. Radiology 289:478–486. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2018180217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Harkness-Armstrong A, Till K, Datson N et al (2022) A systematic review of match-play characteristics in women’s soccer. PLoS One 17:e0268334. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. FIFA (2019) Physical analysis of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Frnace 2019TM. accessed on 27 sep 2022 https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/zijqly4oednqa5gffgaz.pdf

  59. Armour M, Parry KA, Steel K, Smith CA (2020) Australian female athlete perceptions of the challenges associated with training and competing when menstrual symptoms are present. Int J Sports Sci Coach 15:316–323. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120916073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Clarke A, Govus A, Donaldson A (2021) What male coaches want to know about the menstrual cycle in women’s team sports: performance, health, and communication. Int J Sports Sci Coach 16:544–553. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954121989237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Mkumbuzi NS, Dlamini SB, Chibhabha F et al (2021) The menstrual cycle and football: the experiences of female African football players. Sci Med Footb. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2021.2005252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. UEFA (2019) Guide to minimum medical requirements 2019/20. accessed on 27 sep 2022 https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/Medical/02/61/67/19/2616719_DOWNLOAD.pdf

  63. Bell KM, Frazier EC, Shively CM et al (2009) Assessing range of motion to evaluate the adverse effects of ill-fitting cervical orthoses. Spine J 9:225–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2008.03.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. FIFA (2021) Accelerate the growth of women’s football. accessed on 27 sep 2022 https://www.fifa.com/womens-football

  65. UEFA (2017) Women’s football across the national associations. UEFA. Accessed on 27 Sep 2022 https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/OfficialDocument/uefaorg/Women%27sfootball/02/43/13/56/2431356_DOWNLOAD.pdf

  66. Welford J (2015) Globalising women’s football: Europe, migration and professionalization. Int J Hist Sport 32:726–728. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523367.2015.1004914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. FIFPRO (2020) Raising our game. Women’s Football Report. accessed on 27 sep 2022 https://www.fifpro.org/media/vd1pbtbj/fifpro-womens-report_eng-lowres.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3925o7O74C14a3hQG7nYRthrHX6g9RyNPIXe1CGuKTsyD0KASKxIRDc4w

Download references

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

No funding was provided for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, UK

    Katrine Okholm Kryger, Nicola Brown & Georgie Bruinvels

  2. Sport and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

    Katrine Okholm Kryger, Craig Rosenbloom & Elena Jobson

  3. Research and Scientific Support, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar

    Athol Thomson

  4. Discipline of Podiatry, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

    Athol Thomson

  5. The Football Association, St George’s Park, Newborough Road, Needwood, Burton-Upon-Trent, UK

    Alicia Tang, Craig Rosenbloom & Ritan Mehta

  6. Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, UK

    Georgie Bruinvels

  7. Orreco Ltd, Galway, Ireland

    Georgie Bruinvels

  8. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, London, UK

    Craig Rosenbloom

  9. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sean Carmody

  10. Medical Department, Chelsea Football Club, London, UK

    Sean Carmody

  11. Arsenal Women Football Club, London, UK

    Leah Williamson

  12. England Women’s National Team, The Football Association, St George’s Park, Needwood, Burton-Upon-Trent, UK

    Leah Williamson

  13. Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK

    Naomi Datson

  14. West Ham United Football Club, London, UK

    Elena Jobson

Authors
  1. Katrine Okholm Kryger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Athol Thomson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alicia Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nicola Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  5. Georgie Bruinvels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  6. Craig Rosenbloom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sean Carmody
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  8. Leah Williamson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  9. Naomi Datson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  10. Elena Jobson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  11. Ritan Mehta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katrine Okholm Kryger.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Dr Katrine Okholm Kryger, Dr Nicola Brown, Dr Georgie Buinvels and Dr Athol Thomson have received funding from sports technology companies for research purposes. Dr Craig Rosenbloom, Dr Sean Carmody, Dr Leah Williamson, Ms Alicia Tang, Dr Ritan Mehta, Dr Naomi Datson and Ms Elena Jobson are or have recently worked on elite women’s football for teams sponsored by sports technology companies. Ms Leah Williamson is a professional player and is sponsored by Nike.

Compliance with ethical standards

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is a part of Topical Collection in Sports Engineering on Football Research, edited by Dr. Marcus Dunn, Mr. Johsan Billingham, Prof. Paul Fleming, Prof. John Eric Goff and Prof. Sam Robertson.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Okholm Kryger, K., Thomson, A., Tang, A. et al. Ten questions in sports engineering: technology in elite women’s football. Sports Eng 25, 25 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-022-00384-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-022-00384-3

Keywords

Profiles

  1. Nicola Brown View author profile