In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Dr. Carol Mack, Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Lab Coordinator at John Carroll University, about why we need to look beyond biomechanics when training and rehabbing female athletes.

Carol shares emerging research showing that biomechanics vary just as much within genders as between them — and how training age may explain many of the differences once attributed to sex. She explains why focusing only on biomechanics as a risk factor for ACL injuries misses the bigger picture, and why strength is the true prerequisite for effective, efficient movement.

Carol also unpacks the physiological differences that shape how female athletes respond to training, including:
⚽ A higher ratio of type I to type II muscle fibers
💪 Greater capillary and mitochondrial density
🔁 Faster recovery and fatigue resistance during strength and sprint work

She explores how these insights can help coaches, clinicians, and sport scientists better load, recover, and develop female athletes — and what questions still need to be answered through research.

Listen in to learn how we can better tailor training and rehab to match the physiology and potential of female athletes.

Enjoy the episode? Subscribe so you never miss a new release!

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Gaby Smith, Performance Sports Scientist for Bay FC, about how she builds practical, collaborative sport science systems in elite women's soccer.

Gaby shares how she bridges data and decision-making, the workflows that keep players and staff aligned, and how to make athlete monitoring meaningful rather than overwhelming.

They discuss:
⚽ The core metrics that matter most in women's football
📊 Building simple, effective data workflows within a multidisciplinary team
💪 Translating performance data into daily training decisions
🤝 How communication and collaboration drive better outcomes for players
🔄 Strategies for connecting rehab, return to play, and performance monitoring

This conversation offers actionable insights for practitioners who want to simplify their processes, improve staff alignment, and build trust through transparent, evidence-informed support in the women's game.

Like the episode? Subscribe so you never miss a new release!

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Georgia Brown, Sports Scientist for San Diego Wave FC, about her PhD research on menstrual health and performance in elite women's soccer.

Georgia shares what she discovered while tracking menstrual cycles and symptoms in professional footballers, why irregularities are more common than most realize, and how practitioners can start applying these insights within their own teams.

They discuss:
⚽ The menstrual cycle as the "fifth vital sign" for athlete health
🩸 Why up to half of players may experience subtle menstrual disturbances
🧠 How stress and training load influence hormonal profiles
📈 Practical ways to track cycles and symptoms in a team setting
🤝 How staff can individualize support for each athlete

This conversation bridges research and practice, offering practical takeaways for medical, sport science, and performance professionals working in the women's game.