Catapult’s Post

Bridging the Research Gap in Women’s Football. Did you know that female footballers suffer non-contact ACL injuries 2.5 times more often than their male counterparts? While no single cause has been pinpointed, this underscores the urgent need for women-specific research and training. Yet, despite clear developmental differences, like how girls hit their adolescent height spike about two years earlier than boys, sports science research remains largely male-focused. A review of 5,000+ sports science studies found that: 🔹 31% studied only male participants 🔹 63% included both men and women 🔹 Only 6% focused exclusively on women This lack of dedicated research means that many training protocols and products for women are simply scaled-down versions of those designed for men. At Catapult, we’re addressing this disparity by working with institutions like Loughborough University and West Ham United FC Women’s team to develop women-specific performance pathways. Our latest Women’s Football Benchmark Report, built on match data from the 2023 Women’s World Cup, establishes position-specific benchmarks for distance, speed, and intensity based on real elite scenarios. This is just the beginning of a data-driven revolution in women’s football. By tailoring training and performance standards to the unique demands of the women's game, we can improve safety, enhance performance, and drive the sport forward. 🔗 Access the full report to start building better training programs today. https://bit.ly/4i7CbCd @SportsBall #SportsDataDecoded #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #UnleashPotential