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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
  • Female cyclists' experiences of saddle sores and the effect on cycling, Burnie, L., Burt, P., Lindsay, K., Heron, N., Ansdell, P., Pastorio, E., Hicks, K., Brown, N. 2 Jan 2026, In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
  • 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
  • The effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive pill on countermovement jump height, perceived recovery and readiness to train following a strength-based exercise session, McNulty, K., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., Elliott-Sale, K., Howatson, G., Hicks, K. 17 Oct 2025, In: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
  • The impact of heated garments on substitute performance in soccer match-play, Cowper, G., Goodall, S., Hicks, K., Burnie, L., Fox, K., Coyles, A., Briggs, M. Oct 2025, In: Journal of Thermal Biology
  • The influence of passive heating garments worn in temperate and cold conditions prior to simulated performance for male soccer substitutes, Cowper, G., Goodall, S., Hicks, K., Burnie, L., Fox, K., Duffy, D., Briggs, M. 21 Feb 2025, In: Physiological Reports
  • What nutrition advice is freely available for gymnasts, coaches and parents on their member national governing body webpages?, Riman, J., Keane, K., Hicks, K., Allen, G., Peart, D. 1 Mar 2025, In: Nutrition and Health
  • Acute and Transient Match-Related Fatigue in University Female Footballers, Hearn, A., Parker, J., Hicks, K., Fernandes, J. 2024, In: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal

  • 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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