Kirsty Marie Hicks

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 �ֲ��ý��Ƶ in February 2016.

Email Kirsty

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Exercise Induced Muscle Damage

The Female Athlete

Sex Differences

Optimising Adaptation and Recovery

Key Publications

Assessing the accuracy, reliability, and validity of menstrual cycle phase tracking equations in an applied sport setting, Greenwalt, C., Ansdell, P., Thomas, K., McNulty, K., Howatson, G., Mutuwa, A., Munro, O., Hicks, K. 10 Apr 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
Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance, Burnie, L., Ansdell, P., Allen-Baker, G., Pastorio, E., Hicks, K., Heron, N., Brown, N. 2 Jun 2026, In: PLoS One
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

Professional Activity

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

PGR Supervision

Amanda Mutuwa Assessing acceleration and deceleration in female soccer players: Applied monitoring and methodological consideration Start Date: 01/10/2023
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

Qualifications