Hi Reader,
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Okay friends, I’ve been working on some fun projects behind the scenes, and because of that, I’ve spent the last month deep in the latest IOC consensus statements. This past summer, I returned to my old stomping grounds (at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota) to serve as an adjunct for their summer sport psychology course. To make the course as applicable as possible for the students, we’re covering a number of “hot topics” in the field: REDs, SafeSport, CTE, kids specializing in sport, and more.
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I’m admittedly feeling as energized as I am frustrated!

Frustrated because the gap between what research tells us female athletes need and what they’re actually getting is MASSIVE. Energized because we’re finally starting to close it and have the evidence to demand better.
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Let me paint you a picture of what I often see at Skadi with clients:
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They train consistently, follow their plan, fuel properly, and yet something feels… off.
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👉🏻 Maybe their primary care provider told them to keep their heart rate under 140 when they shared they were expecting.
👉🏻 Or their physical therapist gave them an ACL prevention program that hasn’t yet been tested on female athletes.
👉🏻 Or after gaining the courage needed to report harassment… nothing but crickets from the governing body.
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Although athlete’s (especially women and those from historically excluded communities in sport) often internalize these experiences and assume they’ve done something wrong, scholars and thought leaders are starting to explain why many of the systems are broken.
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The good news is we are not stuck. The research is finally catching up. And athletes are pushing back.
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So here’s what I want more of in 2026:
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✅ IN: Survivorship frameworks for athlete-survivors.
Between 44–86% of athletes will experience interpersonal violence during their careers, yet most organizations focus on two things: prevention and investigations. Then the case closes, and survivors are left holding the fallout alone. Survivorship frameworks start where systems usually stop. They recognize that the consequences do not end when the investigation ends, and they call for ongoing, coordinated, life-spanning support that meets athletes where they are.
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✅ IN: Pregnant athletes lifting heavy and training hard (when it makes sense for them).
You’ve probably heard a lot of rigid “rules” during pregnancy. Recent studies have found that exercise-only interventions reduce the odds of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. Pregnant folks should get 150+ minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, incorporating a variety of aerobic and resistance training activities. Every athlete is unique, so consult a trusted OB for your specific scenario.
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✅ IN: Female-specific training and injury prevention. ​
Not “women are smaller men.” Not “same program, but pink.” That can look like sports bras in all activities that actually fit, neuromuscular programs designed for female biomechanics, menstrual cycle tracking, and energy availability screening (fun fact: low energy is one of the biggest injury risk factors!). No more one-size-fits-all strategies that weren’t actually designed for your body in the first place.

Here’s What This Means for You 💪

You do not have to wait for systems to catch up. You can start asking harder questions now: Was this injury prevention program tested on female athletes? Does it account for menstrual cycle impacts? Has anyone assessed my energy availability? If you’re pregnant, can you cite the research behind these guidelines? If you experienced harm in sport, what ongoing support exists beyond the investigation itself?
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​Want the full breakdown? I dive into all the research details, specific recommendations, and what to keep in mind in this week’s blog post. It’s a longer read, but if you’re tired of outdated advice, it’s worth it.

🎙️This week on the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast….
​The one and only Dr. Hayley Russell unpacks the good, the bad, and the not-so great regarding Strava. We talk through how it’s a double edged sword and discuss practical steps to set intentional goals and curate a feed that supports your success (rather than detracts from it).
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​🎧Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.​
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Til next week,
Dr. A
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​P.S. I was recently on Another Mother Runner talking about mental training and race prep! If you want practical strategies and real talk, check it out here. 🎙️

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