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Dr Kirsty Hicks

Senior Lecturer

School: Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation

After completing a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, I stayed on to complete an MSc in Exercise and Sport Science Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University.  I then completed a full time PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, whilst simultaneously working full time as the Head Sport Scientist at Liverpool Ladies football club for three years. I began my current post at Northumbria University in February 2016. 

Kirsty Hicks

Exercise Induced Muscle Damage

The Female Athlete

Sex Differences

Optimising Adaptation and Recovery

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • Assessing the accuracy, reliability, and validity of menstrual cycle phase tracking equations in an applied sport setting, Hicks, K., Greenwalt, C., Ansdell, P., Thomas, K., McNulty, K., Howatson, G., Mutuwa, A., Munro, O. 18 Mar 2026, In: European Journal of Applied Physiology
  • Changes in androgen profile over the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive phases in physically active females, Salmi, V., Mikkonen, R., Löfberg, I., McNulty, K., Hicks, K., Hackney, A., Ihalainen, J. 26 Jan 2026, In: BMC Women's Health
  • Female cyclists' experiences of saddle sores and their effect on cycling, Burnie, L., Burt, P., Lindsay, K., Heron, N., Ansdell, P., Pastorio, E., Hicks, K., Brown, N. 3 Feb 2026, In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
  • Menstrual cycle phase alters corticospinal excitability and spike-timing-dependent plasticity in healthy females, Spillane, P., Pastorio, E., Nédélec, E., Piasecki, J., Goodall, S., Hicks, K., Ansdell, P. 1 Feb 2026, In: Journal of Neurophysiology
  • The menstrual cycle and sports performance, McNulty, K., Taim, B., Ansdell, P., Hicks, K. 17 Apr 2026, Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle in Sport, Exercise, and Physical Activity, New York, United States, Taylor & Francis
  • Travel Distance and Direction Negatively Impact Expected Goal Differential: A Retrospective Analysis of 2018–2023 National Women’s Soccer League Data, Munro, O., Norris, D., Thomas, K., Ansdell, P., Howatson, G., Lee, S., Hocken, J., Hicks, K. 1 Feb 2026, In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
  • Advancing Age Is Not Associated With Greater Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression, Fernandes, J., Wilson, L., Dingley, A., Hearn, A., Johnson, K., Hicks, K., Twist, C., Hayes, L. 1 Dec 2025, In: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
  • In pursuit of the ideal body: Exploring the nutritional considerations made by gymnastics coaches, Riman, J., Peart, D., Keane, K., Hicks, K., Allen-Baker, G. 10 Dec 2025, In: Sport, Education and Society
  • Lessons Learned From a No-Cost Menstrual Cycle Symptom Tracking Intervention in Field Hockey: A Mixed-Methods Study, Crawford, L., McNulty, K., Hicks, K., Hall, E., Ansdell, P. 2025, In: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
  • The effect of sex on the cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular response to high-intensity interval exercise, Wilson, H., Bernert, L., Spillane, P., Squires, E., Crawford, L., Piasecki, J., Julian, R., Wilhelm, E., Hicks, K., Ansdell, P. 1 Jul 2025, In: American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • Examination: Physiological and Fitness Profile of Female Lacrosse Athletes. 2021
  • Examination: SEX DIFFERENCES IN FATIGABILITY DURING RUNNING AND CONSEQUENCES ON SHOE DESIGN 2021
  • Examination: Eating behaviours and Training Practices on Health in Female Physique Athletes: A Multi-Method Exploration 2021
  • Examination: Sheffield Hallam External Examiner 2019
  • Hosting an academic visitor: Kirsty Elliott-Sale 2018
  • Visiting an external academic institution: Nottingham Trent University 2018
  • Oral presentation: The effect of the menstrual cycle on Health and Performance 2018

  • Casey Greenwalt Understanding the Effects of Menstrual Cycle Characteristics on Health and Performance in Elite Female Footballers Start Date: 01/10/2023
  • Owen Munro Characterizing Sleep and its Implications on Elite Female Athlete Health and Performance Start Date: 01/10/2023
  • Amanda Mutuwa Considerations for Assessing Deceleration and Acceleration in Women’s Soccer Start Date: 01/10/2023

  • Physiology PhD February 01 2016
  • Fellow (FHEA) Higher Education Academy (HEA) 2017
  • Member British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) 2016


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