E99: Smarter Sport - Using Athlete Data to Drive Innovation in Women's Sport

Data driven innovation: 2:42 Athlete voices: 10:38 Academic barriers: 18:14 Hormonal changes: 23:46 Encouraging participation: 29:40 Data transformation: 33:19 The next generation: 39:20 Next steps: 45:16

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England has broken records both on and off the pitch — from advancing gender equity to achieving unprecedented broadcasting figures and ticket sales. But what do these successes mean for host councils and local communities once the tournament ends?In this episode, we speak with Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, whose portfolio spans the local economy, culture, and leisure, and Dr Becca Leopkey from the University of Georgia, a world-leading expert on the visible and invisible impacts of hosting major events.Our vibrant conversation centres on Northampton, an official host town that staged tournament games across three weekends and delivered a range of community activations. These engaged local residents, sports clubs, businesses, and universities throughout the Rugby World Cup. Cllr Petter and Dr Leopkey share insights on the importance of involving diverse local groups, capturing both planned and unexpected successes, and addressing the crucial question: what’s next?Together, they explore how Northampton can build on the momentum of the tournament to deliver long-term regional benefits. This episode forms part of the Summer of Women’s Sport mini-series supported by the Institute of Advanced Studies and Spirit of 2012, who champion inclusive knowledge exchange and partnership building.Want to know more? Make sure to check out the Loughborough University Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub, plus the Loughborough Lightning rugby franchise who kick off their PWR season with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens this autumn.What does hosting mean?: 4:00Harnessing the hosting: 8:45Yarn bombing: 10:07Maintaining the momentum: 13:19The Fanzone: 17:36Next steps: 23:03 Collaboration: 35:10

For millions of women, the journey to fitness can be a frustrating one, filled with confusing advice that doesn't seem to fit their bodies. But what if the problem isn't with them, but with the industry itself? In this episode of Loughborough University's Experts in Sport podcast, we explore that very question as part of our Women in Sport series.In this episode we are joined by Baz Moffat, a former Team GB athlete and CEO of The Well HQ. She argues that a critical lack of female-specific education is failing both trainers and their clients. We discuss the current landscape of personal training qualifications and how, through better educating people working in the fitness industry, we can improve health and fitness outcomes for women around the world.Intro: 0:00How hard should we be pushing?: 7:03 The menstrual cycle: 10:54Women's health: 15:32 Current education: 18:07The problems: 28:00 Future education: 31:36 Quick fixes: 39:17 Where to learn more: 44:35

What does gender equity really mean in a sport as physically demanding and strategically complex as wheelchair rugby? In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking research project that’s challenging assumptions and driving change for women in para-sport. Through personal reflections and expert insights, we explore why representation matters, how performance is measured, and what it takes to build inclusive pathways for female athletes.Joining the conversation are Dr Thomas Rietveld from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University, Richard Allcroft, President of World Wheelchair Rugby, Lauren Templeton, Regional General Manager for Europe at World Wheelchair Rugby, and Jason Brisbane, Chief Executive Officer of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby. Together, they share personal insights, strategic goals, and reflections on the Women’s Cup in Paris — a key testing ground for inclusive rule changes like the 0.5-point classification for female athletes. Whether you're a coach, policymaker, athlete, or simply curious about the future of inclusive sport, this episode offers a compelling look at how data, collaboration, and lived experience are shaping the next phase of wheelchair rugby.Intros: 0:00Gender Equity: 4:19 The research: 11:11 The rule change: 15:56 The athlete voice: 21:44 Collaboration: 28:42 Research call to action: 34:33 Takeaways: 36:46#loughborough #university #education #student #Experts in sport #podcast #sport #research #experts in health #fitness #women #women's health #women in sport #women's hub #world cup #rugby #women's rugby #wheelchair #wheelchair rugby #gender #equity

In this episode of the Women in Sport Summer Series, we explore how governance, marketing, and collaboration are driving transformation in women’s sport—both in the UK and globally.Featuring Alex Teasdale, Executive Director of Women’s Rugby at the RFU, and Dr Dana Lee Ellis, a leading academic in sport marketing and event governance, we unpack the strategic role of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the power of inclusive networks, and the importance of visionary innovation initiatives.This conversation is part of the Women in Sport Summit, supported by the Institute for Advanced Studies, Spirit of 2012, and the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub at Loughborough University.Intros 0:00Leadership and collaboration: 3:50The eve of the Rugby World Cup: 8:14Amplification: 11:57Focus on women's sport: 14:08Sport beyond the event: 16:23Global and private examples: 23:51Inclusive leadership: 32:01Looking ahead: 38:27Key takeaway: 45:25#LoughboroughUniversity #ExpertsInSport #SportsInnovation#FemaleAthletes #Podcast #Rugby #rugbyworldcup #womensports Follow Loughborough University: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lborouniversity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lborouniversity/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lborouniversity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lborouniversity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university/ Website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/

Welcome to a special episode of the Experts in Sport Podcast, brought to you by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University.In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential topics in women’s sport: breast health and the science of sports bras.Exploring why most sports bras don’t offer enough support, the impact on performance and injury risk, innovations in design, fit, and education, and how research is driving real change for athletes.Intro 0:00Health implications 3:31Research 5:13Why has it been overlooked? 7:34Awareness 14:45Female anthropometry 20:59What to look for in a bra 28:32What’s next? 37:36Listeners of the podcast can subscribe and download the latest episode by visiting iTunes, Spotify, and TuneIn. All subscribers will receive an alert once new episodes are published.  The Experts in Sport podcast is a regular series that brings together experts from across Loughborough University with external thought leaders to discuss the latest research and hot topics in sport and academia with new episodes launched regularly.#LoughboroughUniversity #ExpertsInSport #BreastHealth #SportsInnovation#FemaleAthletes #Podcast #SportsApparel #Rugby #Lionesses #SportsBraEducation

In this episode of Experts in Sport, host Dr Hannah Fox Dugdale is joined by Dr Verity Postlethwaite to explore the groundbreaking launch of Loughborough University’s Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub. Discover how this initiative is set to transform women’s sport from grassroots to elite, tackling real-world challenges with cutting-edge research.We also hear from special guest and former England international, Karen Carney OBE, as she shares powerful insights on athlete health, equity in sport, and what this hub means for the future.A must-listen in the build-up to the 2025 Summer of Women in Sport!Intro: 0:00Karen Carney: 8:07Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub: 8:47 The research gap: 10:50 Women focused research: 14:39 The media: 20:41 Leadership: 23:26 The hub contribution: 25:23 Women’s sport in action: 27:09 Karen Carney OBE is also an ambassador for the new hub - https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2024/september/karen-carney-sport-health-wellbeing-ambassador/For more information visit:https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2025/march/women-in-sport-hub-launch/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/women-in-sport-hub/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ias/programmes/women-in-sport/https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/events/tackling-the-gap/

As the England v India Test Matches get into full swing, Experts in Sport podcast host Martin Foster sits down with Ed Smith, former National Selector for England Cricket and soon-to-be President of the MCC.In this episode, they explore Leadership in Sport and discuss the growing impact of AI on decision-making and leadership at the highest level. Drawing from Ed’s experience in elite cricket, this conversation offers unique insights into how modern leaders balance data, intuition, and performance in a rapidly evolving sporting world.Intro: 00:00Leadership in Sport: 1:55 Student impact: 15:38 President of the MCC: 25:33 AI in sport: 35:46 Embracing AI: 51:34#LeadershipInSport #EdSmith #EnglandVsIndia #Cricket #AIinSport #ExpertsInSportPodcast #lborograd #lborofamily Follow Loughborough University: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lborouniversity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lborouniversity/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lborouniversity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lborouniversity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university/ Website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/

In the latest episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by world-leading expert in the science of the human mind, Dr Ian Taylor, to discuss his new book Time Hacks.Together, they draw on the latest psychological research to explore how we can develop a healthier relationship with time—one that helps us break free from the cycle of boredom and mania, boosts our productivity, and brings greater balance to all areas of our lives.Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with practical tips and science-backed strategies to help you take control of your time.📚 Time Hacks – Available now!Intro: 00:00Overview: 2:34 Time warps: 6:55 The idea of time: 11:40 Practical solutions: 15:54 Why do mousetraps work: 18:32 Mind the gap: 23:16 S is for effort: 27:19 Benefits of solitude: 36:03 Bouncebackability: 45:58 Top 5 hacks: 48:08#ExpertsInSport #TimeHacks #Psychology #Productivity #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #LboroGrad #LboroFamilyFollow Loughborough University: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lborouniversity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lborouniversity/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lborouniversity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lborouniversity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university/ Website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/

In today’s podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by Dr Daniel Read, Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Sport Business at Loughborough University, to discuss the use of painkillers in sport.Painkiller use in sport is more widespread than many people realise. In this episode, we uncover some shocking statistics and explore the reasons why athletes turn to pain relief—sometimes at great personal risk. Using real-world examples from across the sporting world, we examine the pressures, motivations, and implications behind this growing issue.Painkiller use in sport: 2:14 Examples: 6:54 Frequency: 11:54 Classifications: 16:01 Recreational use: 19:14 Why?: 20:44 Capital: 23:41 Problems: 26:58 What needs to change?: 30:25 Youth football: 48:06 Further research: 51:09Listeners of the podcast can subscribe and download the latest episode by visiting iTunes, Spotify, and TuneIn. All subscribers will receive an alert once new episodes are published.  The Experts in Sport podcast is a regular series that brings together experts from across Loughborough University with external thought leaders to discuss the latest research and hot topics in sport and academia with new episodes launched regularly.Follow Loughborough University: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lborouniversity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lborouniversity/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lborouniversity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lborouniversity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university/ Website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/#LboroGrad #LboroFamily #ExpertsinSport