Photo of Prof Kirsty Elliott-Sale

Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale PhD

Head of the Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport

Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology

My profile

Biography

I completed my undergraduate degree [1998] and PhD [2001] at Liverpool John Moores University, where my doctoral research explored the effects of female reproductive hormones on muscle strength. Since then, my work has focused exclusively on ovarian hormone profiles and their effects on women’s health and athletic performance, with a particular emphasis on elite female athletes.

In addition to completing a four-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at King’s College London, I have held academic positions at Brunel University, the University of Brighton, and Nottingham Trent University. I joined the Institute of Sport [https://www.mmu.ac.uk/institute-of-sport] at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2022 as Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology and became the Head of the Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport in 2024 [https://www.mmu.ac.uk/institute-of-sport/women-in-sport].

My research focusses on ovarian hormone profiles across the lifespan (e.g., puberty, the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, menstrual dysfunction, pregnancy, and menopause) in diverse populations (e.g., military servicewomen, elite [adult] female athletes, adolescent female athletes, and active women and girls in the community and in clinical settings) .

I am deeply committed to improving the quality of research and practice in women’s sport, having led the publication of numerous guidelines on methodological standards and evidence-based approaches. My academic output includes over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, consensus statements, and editorials.

Beyond academia, I collaborate with leading organisations such as the United Kingdom Sports Institute, UEFA, FIFPRO, the European Club Association, the Women’s Tennis Association, Manchester Thunder Netball Team, More Than Equal, and Arsenal Women’s Football Team. I also serve on multiple advisory boards and special interest groups dedicated to the advancement of female athlete health and performance.

Interests and expertise

  • Female endocrinology: including menstrual cycle, menstrual dysfunction, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause
  • Female exercise physiology: including musculoskeletal physiology and athletic performance

Get in touch

[email protected]
3.17 Institute of Sport

Impact

PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH:

UK Sports Institute

SHE Research Centre [Athlone Institute of Technology]

The Football Association

UEFA

Arsenal Women’s Football Team, WSL

Angel City, NWSL

Manchester Thunder Netball Team

More Than Equal

Projects

SELECTED PROJECTS:

FEMINAE: 

Elliott-Sale KJ, Ackerman KE, Lebrun CM, Minahan C, Sale C, Stellingwerff T, Swinton PA, Hackney AC. Feminae: an international multisite innovative project for female athletes. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Oct 3;9(4):e001675. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001675. 

Elliott Sale KJ, Flood TR, Arent SM, Dolan E, Saunders B, Hansen M, Ihalainen JK, Mikkonen RS, Minahan C, Thornton JS, Ackerman KE, Lebrun CM, Sale C, Stellingwerff T, Swinton PA, Hackney AC. Effect of menstrual cycle and contraceptive pill phase on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance in female athletes: protocol for the Feminae international multisite innovative project. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Nov 24;9(4):e001814. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001814. 

*Additional publications pending

PERFORM:

Elliott-Sale KJ, Bostock EL, Jackson T, Wardle SL, O’Leary TJ, Greeves JP, Sale C. Investigating the Efficacy of an 18-Week Postpartum Rehabilitation and Physical Development Intervention on Occupational Physical Performance and Musculoskeletal Health in UK Servicewomen: Protocol for an Independent Group Study Design. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Jun 1;11(6):e32315. doi: 10.2196/32315. 

*Additional publications pending

ERASMUS FUNDED ACL PREVENT:

Publications pending

PROJECT JUNO FUNDED BY ADIDAS AND IN COLLABORATION WITH VISF:

Publications pending

Teaching

SUPERVISION

Previous PhD Supervision

Dr Lloyd Parker

Dr Kelly Mc Nulty

Dr Rita Civil

Dr Nura Alwan

Dr Stephanie Hanley

Dr Dan Martin

Dr Rebecca Townsend

Dr Maria Papageorgiou

Dr Ella Smith

Dr Megan Kuikman 

Dr Jade Creighton

Dr Joseph Matthews

Ongoing PhD Supervision 

Emma Clausen registered at MMU, UK

Glenn Sherwin registered at MMU, UK

Katie Longden registered at MMU, UK

Nathan Lynskey registered at MMU, UK

Jen Sygo registered at MMU, UK [part-time – distance learning]

Rebecca Hudson at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK [part-time]

Jen Sygo registered at Manchester Metropolitan University [part-time – distance learning]

Emma Hamilton registered at LJMU, UK

Previous post-doctoral and research assistants/associates:

Dr Tess Flood, PhD

Emma Clausen MSc

Dr Emma Bostock PhD

Thea Jackson MSc

Ashley Graham MSc 

Research outputs

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES 

[full list here ‪Professor Kirsty J Elliott-Sale‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬]:

Most recent 50 publications:

  1. Smith ES, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Harris R, Ackerman KE, McKay AKA, Burke LM. Resources to Guide Researchers in the Pursuit of High-Quality Sport Science Research in Women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2025 Nov 26:1-10. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2025-0136. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41297531.
  2. Clausen E, Flood TR, Okholm Kryger K, Lewin G, McCall A, Stebbings GK, Elliott-Sale KJ. Auditing the representation of elite female players in football performance and injury research. Sci Med Footb. 2025 Nov 6:1-16. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2025.2577442. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41195523.
  3. Sherwin G, Flood TR, Burden RJ, Burke LM, Field A, Kuikman MA, McKay AKA, Smith ES, Elliott-Sale KJ. An audit and quality assessment of the methods used to determine menstrual cycle phases in studies assessing athletic performance in elite female athletes. J Sports Sci. 2025 Nov 4:1-16. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2583013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41188696.
  4. Verhagen E, Ferrer E, Antero JDS, Bahtijarevic Z, Barlow A, Bolling C, Gabarro M, Harrison M, Jarrin P, Janse de Jonge X, Paternotte E, Tomás R, Jimenez C, Keay N, Lewin G, van den Steen E, Elliott-Sale K. UEFA consensus statement on menstrual cycle tracking in women’s football. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2025 Sep 21;11(3):e002769. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002769. PMID: 41001255; PMCID: PMC12458775.
  5. Smith ES, McKay AKA, Ackerman KE, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Harris R, Burke LM. Female Athletes Report Positive Experiences as Research Participants. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2025 May 7;35(5):433-443. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2024-0182. PMID: 40335164.
  6. Elliott-Sale KJ, Dakic JG, De Vivo M, Donnelly GM, McGhee D, Thornton J, Stroia K, Kronk C, Hayman M. Two steps forward, one step back: What research progressions have been made to support the advancement of health and performance in pregnant international and world-class sportswomen since 2016? A scoping review. Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057251368289. doi: 10.1177/17455057251368289. Epub 2025 Aug 25.
  7. Bangsbo J, Hostrup M, Hellsten Y, Hansen M, Melin A, Kjær M, Burr JF, Engebretsen L, Egan B, Hackney AC, Chambers TL, Jones AM, Pitsiladis Y, Magnusson P, Petersen J, Deshmukh AS, Calbet JAL, Elliott-Sale K, Joyner M, Andersen JL, Christensen PM, Dünweber MR, Rømer T, Wickham KA, Jessen SK, Kissow J, Jeppesen JS, Moesgaard L. Consensus Statements-Optimizing Performance of the Elite Athlete. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Aug;35(8):e70112. doi: 10.1111/sms.70112.
  8. Osborne JO, Storvand JH, Engseth TP, Solli GS, Morseth B, Taylor MY, Welde B, Elliott-Sale KJ, Andersson EP, Sandbakk Ø, Noordhof DA. Prevalence of Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Self-Reported Symptomatic Experiences Attributed to the Menstrual Cycle or Hormonal Contraceptive Use in Norwegian Women: The Effect of Training Categories and Age Groups - The FENDURA Project. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Jul;35(7):e70096. doi: 10.1111/sms.70096.
  9. Smith ES, Kuikman M, Weakley J, Tee N, McCormick R, Ackerman KE, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Harris R, McKay AKA, Burke LM. Effects of 24-h Diet- or Exercise-Induced Energy Availability Manipulations on Substrate Utilization and Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Apr 1;57(4):820-831. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003608.
  10. Elliott-Sale KJ, Altini M, Doyle-Baker P, Ferrer E, Flood TR, Harris R, Impellizzeri FM, de Jonge XJ, Kryger KO, Lewin G, Lebrun CM, McCall A, Nimphius S, Phillips SM, Swinton PA, Taylor M, Verhagen E, Burden RJ. Why We Must Stop Assuming and Estimating Menstrual Cycle Phases in Laboratory and Field-Based Sport Related Research. Sports Med. 2025 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02189-3.
  11. Matthews JJ, Creighton JV, Donaldson J, Swinton PA, Kyrou I, Bellary S, Idris I, Santos L, Turner MD, Doig CL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. β-alanine supplementation in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2025 Feb;33(2):278-288. doi: 10.1002/oby.24204.
  12. Elliott-Sale KJ, Birdsey LP, Burden RJ, Cable NT, Clausen E, D’Souza AC, Dos’Santos T, Field A, Flood TR, Harris R, McCall A, McNulty KL, Ní Chéilleachair N, O’Catháin C, Phillips SM, Sherwin G, Stebbings GK, Taim BC, Van Every DW, Więckowska J, Minahan C. Development and evaluation of an ovarian hormone profile classification tool for female athletes: step one of a two-step process to determine ovarian hormone profiles. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Dec 9;10(4):e002304. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002304.
  13. Guisado-Cuadrado I, Romero-Parra N, Cupeiro R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C, Peinado AB. Effect of eccentric-based resistance exercise on bone (re)modelling markers across the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive cycle. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024 Dec 30. doi: 10.1007/s00421-024-05693-y
  14. Carmody S, den Hollander S, Elliott-Sale K, Mountjoy ML, Thornton JS, Massey A, Kerkhoffs G, Gouttebarge V. Self-reported reproductive health of retired elite women’s footballers: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Jul 29;10(3):e002028. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002028.
  15. Kuikman MA, Smith E, McKay AKA, McCormick R, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Impact of acute dietary and exercise manipulation on next day RMR measurements and DXA body composition estimates. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Sep 24. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003555.
  16. Taim BC, Catháin CÓ, Elliott-Sale KJ, Madigan S, Ní Chéilleachair N. Menstrual-Cycle and Hormonal-Contraceptive Tracking in Gaelic Football: From the Lab to the Field. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2024 Nov 7:1-9. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0489.
  17. Civil R, Brook MS, Santos L, Varley I, Elliott-Sale KJ, Lensu S, Ahtiainen JP, Kainulainen H, Koch LG, Britton SL, Wilkinson DJ, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Sale C. The effects of endurance trainability phenotype, sex, and interval running training on bone collagen synthesis in adult rats. Bone. 2024 Dec;189:117257. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2024.117257. 
  18. Smith ES, McCormick R, McKay AKA, Ackerman KE, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Harris R, Burke LM. Perceived Negative Menstrual Cycle Symptoms, but not Changes in Estrogen or Progesterone, are Associated with Impaired Cycling Race Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Nov 6. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003587.
  19. Kuikman MA, McKay AKA, McCormick R, Tee N, Vallance B, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. The Temporal Effects of Altitude and Low Energy Availability Manipulation on Resting Metabolic Rate in Female Race Walkers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Aug 23. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003534.
  20. Smith ES, Weakley J, McKay AKA, McCormick R, Tee N, Kuikman MA, Harris R, Minahan C, Buxton S, Skinner J, Ackerman KE, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Minimal influence of the menstrual cycle or hormonal contraceptives on performance in female rugby league athletes. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024 Aug;24(8):1067-1078. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12151.
  21. Guisado-Cuadrado I, Romero-Parra N, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C, Díaz ÁE, Peinado AB. Influence of Menstrual Cycle and Oral Contraceptive Phases on Bone (re)modelling Markers in Response to Interval Running. Calcif Tissue Int. 2024 Jul 27. doi: 10.1007/s00223-024-01259-4.
  22. Oleka CT, Anderson T, Ackerman KE, Elliott-Sale KJ, Kraus E, Casey E, Stellingwerff T, Donaldson AT, Finnoff JT, Post EG, Adams WM. An update to terminology describing abnormal uterine bleeding in female athletes: facilitating cross-disciplinary health care. Br J Sports Med. 2024 Jul 18:bjsports-2024-108261. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108261.
  23. Donnelly GM, Coltman CE, Dane K, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hayman M, McCarthy-Ryan MF, Perkins J, Rollins S, Moore IS. Prioritise safety, optimise success! Return to rugby postpartum. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024 Jul 8. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12144.
  24. Bagot S, Pereira B, Lambert C, Pelissier L, Chanseaume E, Duclos M, Hackney AC, Elliott-Sale KJ, Thivel D, Isacco L. A reproducible, self-reported, field-based tool for monitoring ovarian hormone status and body weight variations in female athletes: the Answ’Her questionnaire. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2024 Jun 18. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15879-3.
  25. Burden RJ, Altini M, Ferrer E, Flood TR, Lewin G, Nimphius S, Phillips SM, Elliott-Sale KJ. Measure do not guess: a call to action to end assumed and estimated menstrual cycle phases in research. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Jun 17;10(2):e002095. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002095.
  26. Flood TR, Clausen E, Kuikman MA, Smith E, McKay AKA, Burke LM, Elliott-Sale KJ. Auditing the representation of hormonal contraceptives in studies assessing exercise performance in women. J Sports Sci. 2024 May;42(9):825-839. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2368762.
  27. Heyward O, Elliott-Sale KJ, Roe G, Emmonds S, Hornby K, Stokes KA, Jones B. Oral contraceptive use in Premiership and Championship women’s rugby union: perceived symptomology, management strategies, and performance and wellness effects. Sci Med Footb. 2024 May;8(2):95-102. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2156588.
  28. Power CJ, Fox JL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Bender AM, Dalbo VJ, Scanlan AT. Waking Up to the Issue! Research Inattention and Sex-Related Differences Warrant More Sleep Studies in Female Athletes. Sports Med. 2024 Mar;54(3):565-583. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01963-5.
  29. Kuikman MA, McKay AKA, Minahan C, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES, McCormick R, Tee N, Skinner J, Ackerman KE, Burke LM. Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase and Hormonal Contraceptives on Resting Metabolic Rate and Body Composition. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2024 Apr 23:1-11. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0193.
  30. Hackney AC, Elliott-Sale KJ. Female Physiology-Endocrinology: Education Is Lacking and Innovation Is Needed! Women Sport Phys Act J. 2024 Jan;32(1):wspaj.2023-0073. doi: 10.1123/wspaj.2023-0073. 
  31. Elliott Sale KJ, Flood TR, Arent SM, Dolan E, Saunders B, Hansen M, Ihalainen JK, Mikkonen RS, Minahan C, Thornton JS, Ackerman KE, Lebrun CM, Sale C, Stellingwerff T, Swinton PA, Hackney AC. Effect of menstrual cycle and contraceptive pill phase on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance in female athletes: protocol for the Feminae international multisite innovative project. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Nov 24;9(4):e001814. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001814.
  32. D’Souza AC, Wageh M, Williams JS, Colenso-Semple LM, McCarthy DG, McKay AKA, Elliott-Sale KJ, Burke LM, Parise G, MacDonald MJ, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Menstrual cycle hormones and oral contraceptives: a multimethod systems physiology-based review of their impact on key aspects of female physiology. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2023 Dec 1;135(6):1284-1299. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00346.2023.
  33. Elliott-Sale KJ, Ackerman KE, Lebrun CM, Minahan C, Sale C, Stellingwerff T, Swinton PA, Hackney AC. Feminae: an international multisite innovative project for female athletes. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Oct 3;9(4):e001675. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001675. 
  34. Hanley SJ, Varley I, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Experiences of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and Quality of Life During and Following Pregnancy in Overweight and Obese Postpartum Women. Matern Child Health J. 2023 Nov;27(11):1968-1980. doi: 10.1007/s10995-023-03684-7
  35. Civil R, Dolan E, Swinton PA, Santos L, Varley I, Atherton PJ, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. P1NP and β-CTX-1 Responses to a Prolonged, Continuous Running Bout in Young Healthy Adult Males: A Systematic Review with Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis. Sports Med Open. 2023 Sep 19;9(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00628-x. 
  36. Carvalho, A., Duarte, B., Elliott-Sale, K. J., & Saunders, B. (2023). Directions for Future Studies to Determine Dietary Nitrate Efficacy in Female Athletes. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 8(4), e000235.
  37. Taim BC, Ó Catháin C, Renard M, Elliott-Sale KJ, Madigan S, Ní Chéilleachair N. The Prevalence of Menstrual Cycle Disorders and Menstrual Cycle-Related Symptoms in Female Athletes: A Systematic Literature Review. Sports Med. 2023 Jun 30. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01871-8. 
  38. Moore IS, Crossley KM, Bo K, Mountjoy M, Ackerman KE, Antero JDS, Sundgot Borgen J, Brown WJ, Bolling CS, Clarsen B, Derman W, Dijkstra P, Donaldson A, Elliott-Sale KJ, Emery CA, Haakstad L, Junge A, Mkumbuzi NS, Nimphius S, Palmer D, van Poppel M, Thornton JS, Tomás R, Zondi PC, Verhagen E. Female athlete health domains: a supplement to the International Olympic Committee consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. Br J Sports Med. 2023 Jun 22:bjsports-2022-106620. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106620.
  39. McNulty, K. L., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., Elliott-Sale, K. J., Howatson, G., & Hicks, K. M. (2023). The Symptoms Experienced by Naturally Menstruating Women and Oral Contraceptive Pill Users and Their Perceived Effects on Exercise Performance and Recovery Time Posttraining, Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (published online ahead of print 2023). 
  40. Swinton PA, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Comparative analysis of bone outcomes between quantitative ultrasound and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry from the UK Biobank cohort. Arch Osteoporos. 2023 May 30;18(1):77. doi: 10.1007/s11657-023-01287-x.
  41. Kuikman MA, McKay AKA, Smith ES, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Female Athlete Representation and Dietary Control Methods Among Studies Assessing Chronic Carbohydrate Approaches to Support Training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2023 May 9:1-11. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0214.
  42. Carl Langan-Evans, Mark A. Hearris, Stephen McQuilliam, Louise M. Burke, Trent Stellingwerff, Kirsty J. Elliott-Sale and James P. Morton. Hormonal contraceptive use, menstrual cycle characteristics and training/nutrition related profiles of elite, sub-elite and amateur athletes and exercisers: one size is unlikely to fit all. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
  43. Colenso-Semple LM, D’Souza AC, Elliott-Sale KJ, Phillips SM. Current evidence shows no influence of women’s menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training. Front Sports Act Living. 2023 Mar 23;5:1054542. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1054542.
  44. Matthews JJ, Turner MD, Santos L, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Carnosine increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and reduces methylglyoxal-modified proteins in type-2 diabetic human skeletal muscle cells. Amino Acids. 2023 Jan 13. doi: 10.1007/s00726-022-03230-9. Epub ahead of print.
  45. A Bump in the Road? The BASES Expert Statement on Pregnant and Postnatal Athletes. Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Marlize De Vivo, Dr Lou Atkins, Grainne Donnelly, Prof Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Chloe Hillyar, Sarah Rand and Dr Claire-Marie Roberts. 
  46. McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Morehen JC, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Elliott-Sale KJ, Cronin CJ, Morton JP. Normalising the conversation: A qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support within elite female soccer. Sci Med Footb. 2022 Nov 7. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2145349.
  47. Kuikman MA, Smith ES, McKay AKA, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Fuelling the Female Athlete: Auditing her Representation in Studies of Acute Carbohydrate Intake for Exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003056.
  48. Hanley SJ, Sibbick E, Varley I, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Exercise interventions for weight management during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum among normal weight women and women with overweight and obesity: An updated systematic review. Obes Sci Pract. 2022 Feb 18;8(5):531-544. doi: 10.1002/osp4.597.
  49. Langan-Evans, C., Cronin, C., Hearris, M. A., Elliott-Sale, K. J., & Morton, J. P. (2022). Perceptions of Current Issues in Female Sport Nutrition From Elite Athletes, Practitioners, and Researchers. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 30(2), 133-143. 
  50. Parker LJF, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hannon M, Morton JP, Close GL. Where do you go when your periods go?: A case-study examining secondary amenorrhea in a professional internationally capped female soccer player through the lens of the sport nutritionist. Sci Med Footb. 2022 Sep 15. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2123555.

BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. Elliott-sale, K.J. (2023). Pregnancy, reproductive hormones and exercise. In Hackney , A.C. (Ed.), Sex Hormones, Exercise & Women (2nd edition).
  2. Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2022). Does menstrual cycle phase affect exercise performance? In Dubois, B and Berg F (Eds.), La Clinique du Coureur: La santé par la course à pied [English version]. Mons.
  3. Elliott-Sale, K.J, & Hicks, K. (2018). Hormonal-Based Contraception and the Exercising Female. In J. Forsyth, & C-M. Roberts (Eds.), The Exercising Female: Science and Its Application (Routledge Research in Sport and Exercise Science). Taylor & Francis.

CONSENSUS STATEMENTS

  1. 2025 Verhagen E, Ferrer E, Antero JDS, Bahtijarevic Z, Barlow A, Bolling C, Gabarro M, Harrison M, Jarrin P, Janse de Jonge X, Paternotte E, Tomás R, Jimenez C, Keay N, Lewin G, van den Steen E, Elliott-Sale K. UEFA consensus statement on menstrual cycle tracking in women’s football. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2025 Sep 21;11(3):e002769. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002769. PMID: 41001255; PMCID: PMC12458775.
  2. 2025. Bangsbo J, Hostrup M, Hellsten Y, Hansen M, Melin A, Kjær M, Burr JF, Engebretsen L, Egan B, Hackney AC, Chambers TL, Jones AM, Pitsiladis Y, Magnusson P, Petersen J, Deshmukh AS, Calbet JAL, Elliott-Sale K, Joyner M, Andersen JL, Christensen PM, Dünweber MR, Rømer T, Wickham KA, Jessen SK, Kissow J, Jeppesen JS, Moesgaard L. Consensus Statements-Optimizing Performance of the Elite Athlete. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Aug;35(8):e70112. doi: 10.1111/sms.70112.
  3. 2023.Moore IS, Crossley KM, Bo K, Mountjoy M, Ackerman KE, Antero JDS, Sundgot Borgen J, Brown WJ, Bolling CS, Clarsen B, Derman W, Dijkstra P, Donaldson A, Elliott-Sale KJ, Emery CA, Haakstad L, Junge A, Mkumbuzi NS, Nimphius S, Palmer D, van Poppel M, Thornton JS, Tomás R, Zondi PC, Verhagen E. Female athlete health domains: a supplement to the International Olympic Committee consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. Br J Sports Med. 2023 Jun 22:bjsports-2022-106620. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106620.
  4. 2019. Invited author for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Nutrition Consensus on ‘Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Master athletes’. Output: Desbrow, B., Burd, N.A., Tarnopolsky, M., Moore, D.R. and Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2019). Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Masters Athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 15, 1-8. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0269.

EXPERT STATEMENTS

  1. 2022. A Bump in the Road? The BASES Expert Statement on Pregnant and Postnatal Athletes. Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Marlize De Vivo, Dr Lou Atkins, Grainne Donnelly, Prof Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Chloe Hillyar, Sarah Rand and Dr Claire-Marie Roberts. Published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist.
  2. 2020. The BASES Expert Statement on Conducting and Implementing Female Athlete-Based Research. Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Dr Emma Ross, Dr Richard Burden and Dr Kirsty Hicks. Published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist.

EDITORIALS 

  1. Burden RJ, Altini M, Ferrer E, Flood TR, Lewin G, Nimphius S, Phillips SM, Elliott-Sale KJ. Measure do not guess: a call to action to end assumed and estimated menstrual cycle phases in research. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Jun 17;10(2):e002095. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002095.
  2. Areta JL, Elliott-Sale KJ. Nutrition for female athletes: What we know, what we don’t know, and why. Eur J Sport Sci. 2022 May;22(5):669-671. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2046176
  3. Hackney, A.C. and Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2021). Exercise Endocrinology: What’s next? Endocrines, 2(3), 167-170; https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines2030017
  4. Ackerman KE, Stellingwerff T, Elliott-Sale KJ, Baltzell A, Cain M, Goucher K, Fleshman L, Mountjoy ML. #REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport): time for a revolution in sports culture and systems to improve athlete health and performance. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Apr;54(7):369-370. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101926. Epub 2020 Jan 10.
  5. Elliott-Sale KJ and Artal R. Exercise-Based Strategies to Promote Better Health and Weight Management; From Pregnancy to the Menopause. Current Women’s Health Reviews. 2017; 13 (1), 2-2.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Selected articles:

  1. 2024 Article for Gatorade Sport Science Institute entitled HISTORY, OVARIAN HORMONES, AND FEMALE ATHLETES
  2. 2023 Article for Gatorade Sport Science Institute entitled OVARIAN HORMONES 101; HOW TO CONDUCT HIGH-QUALITY SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE RESEARCH ON FEMALE ATHLETES
  3. 2023 Article for The Physiology Society on Ovarian hormones, the menstrual cycle, and athletic performance with Dr Tess Flood
  4. 2023 Article for Football Medicine & Performance Editorial on Oral contraceptives and performance with Dr Tess Flood
  5. 2019 Article for The Sport and Exercise Scientist (the British Association of Sport and Exercise’s journal) on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.
  6. 2018 Article for The Conversation entitled “Menstruation is not a taboo in women’s sport, period” https://theconversation.com/menstruation-is-not-a-taboo-in-womens-sport-period-92378
  7. 2018 Article for The Sport and Exercise Scientist (the British Association of Sport and Exercise’s journal) on the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives.
  8. 2015 Article on female athletes for the first edition of the Undergraduate Sports and Exercise Medicine Society’s online magazine, http://issuu.com/usems/docs/usems_1

Career history

1995-present

1995-1998 BSc (Hons) Coaching Science atLiverpool John Moores University

1998-2001 PhD in Female Exercise Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University

2002 Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Brunel University

2003 Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton

2004-2008 Post-doctoral Research Fellow at King’s College London [embargoed data set]

2008-2009 18-month career break [maternity]

2009-2022 Senior Lecturer, Reader, Professor in Female Exercise Physiology at Nottingham Trent University

2022 Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University

Press and media

SELECTED MEDIA:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0ml7ypn/girls-in-pe-breaking-down-the-barriers 

SELECTED BLOGS:

  1. No evidence to adapt training to the phase of the menstrual cycle, MySportScience.Com https://www.mysportscience.com/post/no-evidence-to-adapt-training-to-the-phase-of-the-menstrual-cycle 

  2. Menstrual Cycle and Performance, MySportScience.Com

    https://www.mysportscience.com/post/effects-of-menstrual-cycle-on-performance 

  3. Oral Contraceptives and Performance, MySportScience.Com

    https://www.mysportscience.com/post/oral-contraceptives-and-performance 

  4. The pill and you performance, SHEPowerSport.Com 

    https://shepowersport.com/pill-performance/ 

SELECTED PODCASTS:

  1. 2025 Good Game with Sarah Spain
  2. 2025  Anfield index
  3. 2025 Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman’s The Sports Agents podcast
  4. 2025 Game Changers Podcast
  5. 2023 UKSI podcasts on ovarian hormone profiles
  6. 2023 Inside Exercise “Effect of menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives, pregnancy and menopause on exercise performance”
  7. 2022 Lawn Tennis Association “Female Athlete Health”
  8. 2022 JOSPT “Active Women for Life”
  9. 2022 Science for Sport “Menstrual cycle and sport performance”
  10. 2022 We do Science podcast “Nutrition for Female Athletes” with Professor Kirsty Elliot-Sale and Dr José Areta | “We Do Science” - The Performance Nutrition Podcast
  11. 2021 From Paper to Podium Key Takeaways: Fuelling the Female Athlete - UK (scienceinsport.com)
  12. 2020 British Journal of Sports Medicine Podcast BJSM: Time for a bloody good podcast. And yes, this one’s for men too. With Kirsty Elliott-Sale. Ep #457 on Apple Podcasts
  13. 2020 Fuel the Pedal Fuel The Pedal podcast: FTP #36: Kirsty Elliott-Sale & Eimear Dolan - The Female cyclist series: oral contraceptives and exercise performance on Apple Podcasts and FTP #35: Kelly McNulty & Kirsty Elliott-Sale – The Female cyclist series: Menstrual cycle and endurance exercise performance – Fuel the Pedal
  14. 2020 Pelvic Health Podcast Menstrual cycle and athletic performance with Dr. Kirsty Elliott-Sale (podbean.com)
  15. 2019 Phit for a Queen: A Female Athlete Podcast Phit for a Queen: A Female Athlete Podcast (podbean.com)
  16. 2019 Guru Performance “We do science” podcast Episode 106 - “The Female Athlete” with Dr Kirsty Elliot-Sale | “We Do Science” - The Performance Nutrition Podcast
  17. 2015 Guru Performance “We do science” podcast Episode 57 - ‘The Female Athlete Triad and RED-S’ with Kirsty Elliot-Sale PhD | We Do Science - The Performance Nutrition Podcast on Acast

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