Today as part of our continued effort to bring more awareness on female athletes, teams and associated trends related to female athletes, we have the honor to interview a group of female sports performance experts:
* Allison Schmitt, a 10 time Olympic medalist and multiple world champion in swimming (Team USA), and consultant with Orreco a leading sports data company.
* MĂ©lanie Pauli, Best Player on the Pitch & Athletic trainer at the Swiss Football Association.
* Dr Christy Fernandez-Cull, PhD, CEO, DaVinci Wearables, an AI wearable device for women athletes and teams.
You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Mel, Allison and Christy located at the top of this blog post.
Here are the quotes from the interview with them:
Q1. Gaps in Research: What are the biggest gaps in research when it comes to understanding the physiological and psychological needs of women athletes?
Allison Schmitt:
âI personally see a gap in understanding the effects of birth control, both long-term and short-term. As an athlete, when I was anemic and was told to go on birth control, my only thought was, âWhen Iâm older, can I have kids?â That was my life goal. But there wasnât really any research or advice in that realm. I also think pregnancy and postpartum are overlookedâthereâs a lack of guidance for athletes who wish to return to elite performance after having kids. Lastly, in my area of social work, I see limited research on psychological pressures unique to women athletes, such as burnout, depression, and anxiety, which are often underrepresented.â
âWeâve gone hundreds of years with research focused on a 165-pound white male, and now we have maybe 10 to 20 years of research on women athletes. While thatâs great, itâs still such a small number. We need more research, more education, and more participants to better understand women athletesâ unique needs.â
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âStatistically, 85% of women have not received education about their female health as it relates to their training. Females in sports are still significantly underrepresented in research, with only 6% of sports science research currently dedicated to female athletes. This huge gap means that most training protocols are not optimized for women. For example, performance assessment models are often based on a 70-kilogram male, which doesnât translate well to the average female athlete.â
âAs women, we go through different phasesâmenstrual cycles, perimenopause, pregnancyâand 100% of women will face these changes at some point. But we lack personalized wellness plans to manage these transitions and optimize training accordingly. Itâs critical to study how these factors affect performance and injury risk.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âAs someone working on the field, I rely on research to help me improve practice. However, there is often a long delay in applying research to real-life situations. For example, weâve known for over 20 years that consistent activation programsâ10 to 15 minutes before practiceâcan reduce injuries by 50% to 70%. Despite this knowledge, it often takes an average of 17 years for research findings to be implemented in practice. Thatâs too long, especially for womenâs sports, where we already have so many gaps.â
Q2. Focus Areas: What areas of research should be prioritized to improve recovery, training, and overall performance for women athletes?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âWe need funding to drive evidence-based solutions in critical areas like how hormones impact performance, recovery, and injury risk. Tailored training protocols are essential because every athlete is different, and understanding how each body responds to training is key. For example, by addressing nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery strategies holistically, we can create comprehensive training plans that maximize performance and minimize injury risks.â
âIn addition to funding, we need to focus on democratizing access to knowledge, technology, and coaching expertise. Currently, only elite athletes have access to the best tools and coaches. We must find ways to bring these resources to all athletes, regardless of their level, to help them train and compete more effectively.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âIf I had to choose one priority, it would be understanding and addressing the symptoms women experience, like fatigue or hormonal fluctuations, rather than just focusing on hormonal levels themselves. These symptoms impact both performance and mental health, so addressing them holistically is crucial.â
âWe already have some good research, but we need to start somewhere. Educating athletes and coaches about what we do know can help create a foundation for future research. Athletes need to understand their bodies because their body is their business.â
Allison Schmitt:
âI came to Orreco for the first time at 30 years old, training for the 2020 Olympics, and I didnât know anything about my body. Thatâs embarrassing to admit as someone with success in my sport, but it highlights the lack of education weâve had. If I didnât know my body, how many other women donât either? This research and education are key to improving performance and overall well-being.â
Q3. Equal Access: How can technology help ensure that women athletes at all levelsâamateur to eliteâhave equal access to performance and recovery tools?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âTechnology can bridge the gap for athletes who donât have access to top-tier coaches or facilities. For example, at DaVinci, we aim to create a digital twin of the athlete using wearables and AI. This allows us to optimize training loads and provide insights about how those loads impact performance and recovery. Itâs not about replacing coaches; itâs about working alongside them to enhance training and performance, regardless of an athleteâs resources.â
âCurrently, thereâs a disparity in access to top coaches, equipment, and resources. Technology can democratize this by providing insights and actionable plans for athletes who might not have the financial means to access elite-level support.â
Allison Schmitt:
âItâs crazy to realize now that male coaches often donât have a frame of reference for how the same workout can feel completely different on two days due to hormonal changes. Technology allows us to bridge that knowledge gap by providing data and insights that help educate coaches and athletes alike.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âTechnology should simplify decision-making and provide clarity. But we also need to emphasize education. The best monitoring tool for women is already inside usâour bodies. We just need to learn how to listen to it and use that information effectively.â
Q4. Tech for Strength and Endurance: How are emerging technologies like wearables, AI, and biomechanics enhancing strength and endurance training for women athletes?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âThe future of wearables is bright. Emerging technologies can now measure critical metrics like glucose, lactate, cortisol, and sweat. These insights can be used to tailor training and recovery strategies. However, thereâs still no definitive answer on whether one wearable is better than another; it depends on the athleteâs needs and goals.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âAs a practitioner, my advice is to keep it simple. Not every new technology will be right for every athlete. The key is to understand what you need, where you stand, and what will help you at this moment. Focus on quality and donât feel pressured to use every new device out there.â
Q5. Cultural Shift: How is technology contributing to changing perceptions of womenâs sports on a global scale?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âAI, social media, and new technologies are putting womenâs sports front and center. Theyâre helping to highlight the need for better education about womenâs bodies, starting at a younger age. Girls often drop out of sports after puberty because theyâre not taught how to work with their physiology. By leveraging technology and education, we can keep more girls in sports and support them as they grow.â
Allison Schmitt:
âTechnology is creating access to research and education that wasnât available before. Itâs helping us understand the unique needs of women athletes and is a tool for fostering trust and creating environments where athletes feel comfortable sharing their challenges.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âTechnology can be a great support, but we shouldnât overlook the natural insights our bodies provide. Listening to and understanding our bodies can often provide more valuable information than the most advanced technology.â
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By Julien BlinToday as part of our continued effort to bring more awareness on female athletes, teams and associated trends related to female athletes, we have the honor to interview a group of female sports performance experts:
* Allison Schmitt, a 10 time Olympic medalist and multiple world champion in swimming (Team USA), and consultant with Orreco a leading sports data company.
* MĂ©lanie Pauli, Best Player on the Pitch & Athletic trainer at the Swiss Football Association.
* Dr Christy Fernandez-Cull, PhD, CEO, DaVinci Wearables, an AI wearable device for women athletes and teams.
You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Mel, Allison and Christy located at the top of this blog post.
Here are the quotes from the interview with them:
Q1. Gaps in Research: What are the biggest gaps in research when it comes to understanding the physiological and psychological needs of women athletes?
Allison Schmitt:
âI personally see a gap in understanding the effects of birth control, both long-term and short-term. As an athlete, when I was anemic and was told to go on birth control, my only thought was, âWhen Iâm older, can I have kids?â That was my life goal. But there wasnât really any research or advice in that realm. I also think pregnancy and postpartum are overlookedâthereâs a lack of guidance for athletes who wish to return to elite performance after having kids. Lastly, in my area of social work, I see limited research on psychological pressures unique to women athletes, such as burnout, depression, and anxiety, which are often underrepresented.â
âWeâve gone hundreds of years with research focused on a 165-pound white male, and now we have maybe 10 to 20 years of research on women athletes. While thatâs great, itâs still such a small number. We need more research, more education, and more participants to better understand women athletesâ unique needs.â
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âStatistically, 85% of women have not received education about their female health as it relates to their training. Females in sports are still significantly underrepresented in research, with only 6% of sports science research currently dedicated to female athletes. This huge gap means that most training protocols are not optimized for women. For example, performance assessment models are often based on a 70-kilogram male, which doesnât translate well to the average female athlete.â
âAs women, we go through different phasesâmenstrual cycles, perimenopause, pregnancyâand 100% of women will face these changes at some point. But we lack personalized wellness plans to manage these transitions and optimize training accordingly. Itâs critical to study how these factors affect performance and injury risk.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âAs someone working on the field, I rely on research to help me improve practice. However, there is often a long delay in applying research to real-life situations. For example, weâve known for over 20 years that consistent activation programsâ10 to 15 minutes before practiceâcan reduce injuries by 50% to 70%. Despite this knowledge, it often takes an average of 17 years for research findings to be implemented in practice. Thatâs too long, especially for womenâs sports, where we already have so many gaps.â
Q2. Focus Areas: What areas of research should be prioritized to improve recovery, training, and overall performance for women athletes?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âWe need funding to drive evidence-based solutions in critical areas like how hormones impact performance, recovery, and injury risk. Tailored training protocols are essential because every athlete is different, and understanding how each body responds to training is key. For example, by addressing nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery strategies holistically, we can create comprehensive training plans that maximize performance and minimize injury risks.â
âIn addition to funding, we need to focus on democratizing access to knowledge, technology, and coaching expertise. Currently, only elite athletes have access to the best tools and coaches. We must find ways to bring these resources to all athletes, regardless of their level, to help them train and compete more effectively.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âIf I had to choose one priority, it would be understanding and addressing the symptoms women experience, like fatigue or hormonal fluctuations, rather than just focusing on hormonal levels themselves. These symptoms impact both performance and mental health, so addressing them holistically is crucial.â
âWe already have some good research, but we need to start somewhere. Educating athletes and coaches about what we do know can help create a foundation for future research. Athletes need to understand their bodies because their body is their business.â
Allison Schmitt:
âI came to Orreco for the first time at 30 years old, training for the 2020 Olympics, and I didnât know anything about my body. Thatâs embarrassing to admit as someone with success in my sport, but it highlights the lack of education weâve had. If I didnât know my body, how many other women donât either? This research and education are key to improving performance and overall well-being.â
Q3. Equal Access: How can technology help ensure that women athletes at all levelsâamateur to eliteâhave equal access to performance and recovery tools?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âTechnology can bridge the gap for athletes who donât have access to top-tier coaches or facilities. For example, at DaVinci, we aim to create a digital twin of the athlete using wearables and AI. This allows us to optimize training loads and provide insights about how those loads impact performance and recovery. Itâs not about replacing coaches; itâs about working alongside them to enhance training and performance, regardless of an athleteâs resources.â
âCurrently, thereâs a disparity in access to top coaches, equipment, and resources. Technology can democratize this by providing insights and actionable plans for athletes who might not have the financial means to access elite-level support.â
Allison Schmitt:
âItâs crazy to realize now that male coaches often donât have a frame of reference for how the same workout can feel completely different on two days due to hormonal changes. Technology allows us to bridge that knowledge gap by providing data and insights that help educate coaches and athletes alike.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âTechnology should simplify decision-making and provide clarity. But we also need to emphasize education. The best monitoring tool for women is already inside usâour bodies. We just need to learn how to listen to it and use that information effectively.â
Q4. Tech for Strength and Endurance: How are emerging technologies like wearables, AI, and biomechanics enhancing strength and endurance training for women athletes?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âThe future of wearables is bright. Emerging technologies can now measure critical metrics like glucose, lactate, cortisol, and sweat. These insights can be used to tailor training and recovery strategies. However, thereâs still no definitive answer on whether one wearable is better than another; it depends on the athleteâs needs and goals.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âAs a practitioner, my advice is to keep it simple. Not every new technology will be right for every athlete. The key is to understand what you need, where you stand, and what will help you at this moment. Focus on quality and donât feel pressured to use every new device out there.â
Q5. Cultural Shift: How is technology contributing to changing perceptions of womenâs sports on a global scale?
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull:
âAI, social media, and new technologies are putting womenâs sports front and center. Theyâre helping to highlight the need for better education about womenâs bodies, starting at a younger age. Girls often drop out of sports after puberty because theyâre not taught how to work with their physiology. By leveraging technology and education, we can keep more girls in sports and support them as they grow.â
Allison Schmitt:
âTechnology is creating access to research and education that wasnât available before. Itâs helping us understand the unique needs of women athletes and is a tool for fostering trust and creating environments where athletes feel comfortable sharing their challenges.â
MĂ©lanie Pauli:
âTechnology can be a great support, but we shouldnât overlook the natural insights our bodies provide. Listening to and understanding our bodies can often provide more valuable information than the most advanced technology.â
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