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

• Published in: Sports engineering Vol. 25; no. 1
• Main Authors: Okholm Kryger, Katrine, Thomson, Athol, Tang, Alicia, Brown, Nicola, Bruinvels, Georgie, Rosenbloom, Craig, Carmody, Sean, Williamson, Leah, Datson, Naomi, Jobson, Elena, Mehta, Ritan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01-12-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Engineering; Engineering Design; Football; Invited Paper; Materials Science; Progressions; Questions; Rehabilitation Medicine; Scientific papers; Sports engineering; Sports Medicine; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Tracking devices; Underwear; Design; Pitch; Female; Cleats; Manufacturing; Soccer
• ISSN: 1369-7072; 1460-2687
• DOI: 10.1007/s12283-022-00384-3

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.