Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale

My profile

Biography

I completed my undergraduate degree and PhD [Exercise Physiology] at Liverpool John Moores University. My PhD examined the effects of female reproductive hormones on muscle strength and since then my work has primarily focused on female athletes. I worked as a Lecturer at Brunel University and the University of Brighton, before undertaking a four-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Kings College London. I joined Nottingham Trent University in 2009 as a Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) and worked there until 2022, having being promoted to Reader (Associate Professor) in 2018 and Professor in 2021. I joined the Institute of Sport at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2022 as a Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology.

In addition to my research on female athletes, which includes the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, and menopause, my work in recent years has involved designing and implementing exercise interventions during and following pregnancy in a variety of populations including servicewomen (i.e., military personnel), athletes, and women with obesity. I have co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, expert statements, and editorials on/for sportswomen. In addition, I work with many organisations such as the UK Sports Institute, the Football Association, UEFA, The European Club Association, Arsenal Women’s Football Team, and Manchester Thunder. I am a member of several special interest groups and advisory boards related to female athletes. I am the Head of the Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport, based at the Institute of Sport. 

Interests and expertise

  • Female endocrinology: including menstrual cycle, menstrual dysfunction, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause
  • Female exercise physiology: including musculoskeletal physiology and athletic performance
  • Maternal obesity; including health and exercise performance

Impact

SELECTED PARTNERSHIPS:

Active Pregnancy Foundation 

Australian Institute of Sport

British Association of Sport and Exercise Science

UK Sports Institute

Science in Sport

SHE Research [Athlone Institute of Technology]

The Football Association

UEFA

Arsenal Women’s Football Team, WSL

Angel City, NWSL

Manchester Thunder

Projects

Efficacy of an 18-Week Postpartum Rehabilitation and Physical Development Intervention on Occupational Physical Performance and Musculoskeletal Health in UK Servicewomen [with the Ministry of Defence, Women in Ground Close Combat]

The Changemaker study [with the European Club Association]

Teaching

SUPERVISION

Previous PhD Supervision

Lloyd Parker

Kelly Mc Nulty

Rita Civil

Nura Alwan

Stephanie Hanley

Dan Martin

Rebecca Townsend

Maria Papageorgiou

Ongoing PhD Supervision 

Emma Clausen registered at MMU, UK

Glenn Sherwin registered at MMU, UK

Joanna Wieckowska registered at MMU, UK

Nathan Lynskey registered at MMU, UK

Ella Smith, registered at Australian Catholic University, Australia

Megan Kuikman registered at Australian Catholic University, Australia

Rebecca Hudson at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK [part-time]

Jen Sygo registered at Manchester Metropolitan University [part-time – distance learning]

Jade Creighton registered at Nottingham Trent University, UK

Emma Hamilton registered at LJMU, UK

Guy Pitchers registered at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Joseph Matthews registered at Nottingham Trent University, UK

Research outputs

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES [full list here ‪Professor Kirsty J Elliott-Sale‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬]:

  1. Elliott-Sale KJ, Bostock EL, Jackson T, Wardle SL, O’Leary TJ, Greeves JP, Sale C. Investigating the Efficacy of an 18-Week Postpartum Rehabilitation and Physical Development Intervention on Occupational Physical Performance and Musculoskeletal Health in UK Servicewomen: Protocol for an Independent Group Study Design. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Jun 1;11(6):e32315. doi: 10.2196/32315.
  2. Samuels L, Nakstad B, Roos N, Bonell A, Chersich M, Havenith G, Luchters S, Day LT, Hirst JE, Singh T, Elliott-Sale K, Hetem R, Part C, Sawry S, Le Roux J, Kovats S. Physiological mechanisms of the impact of heat during pregnancy and the clinical implications: review of the evidence from an expert group meeting. Int J Biometeorol. 2022 May 12. doi: 10.1007/s00484-022-02301-6. Epub ahead of print.
  3. Parker LJ, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hannon MP, Morton JP, Close GL. An audit of hormonal contraceptive use in Women’s Super League soccer players; implications on symptomology. Sci Med Footb. 2022 May;6(2):153-158. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2021.1921248.
  4. Guzman A, Kurgan N, Moniz SC, McCarthy SF, Sale C, Logan-Sprenger H, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hazell TJ, Klentrou P. Menstrual Cycle Related Fluctuations in Circulating Markers of Bone Metabolism at Rest and in Response to Running in Eumenorrheic Females. Calcif Tissue Int. 2022 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s00223-022-00970-4.
  5. Areta JL, Elliott-Sale KJ. Nutrition for female athletes: What we know, what we don’t know, and why. Eur J Sport Sci. 2022 May;22(5):669-671. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2046176
  6. Hanley, SJ, Sibbick, E, Varley, I, Sale, C, Elliott-Sale, KJ. Exercise interventions for weight management during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum among normal weight women and women with overweight and obesity: An updated systematic review. Obes Sci Pract. 2022; 1- 14. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.597.
  7. Smith ES, McKay AKA, Kuikman M, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Auditing the Representation of Female Versus Male Athletes in Sports Science and Sports Medicine Research: Evidence-Based Performance Supplements. Nutrients, 2022, 14, 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050953.
  8. Smith ES, McKay AKA, Ackerman KE, Harris R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM. Methodology Review: A Protocol to Audit the Representation of Female Athletes in Sports Science and Sports Medicine Research. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2022 Feb 15:1-14. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0257. Epub ahead of print.
  9. Shirley MK, Longman DP, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hackney AC, Sale C, Dolan E. A Life History Perspective on Athletes with Low Energy Availability. Sports Med. 2022 Feb 3. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01643-w. Epub ahead of print.
  10. Alwan N, Moss SL, Davies IG, Elliott-Sale KJ, Enright K. Weight loss practices and eating behaviours among female physique athletes: Acquiring the optimal body composition for competition. PLoS One. 2022 Jan 14;17(1):e0262514. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262514
  11. Nolan D, Elliott-Sale KJ, Egan B. Prevalence of hormonal contraceptive use and reported side effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use in powerlifting and rugby. Phys Sportsmed. 2022 Jan 6:1-6. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2021.2024774. Epub ahead of print.
  12. Morehen JC, Rosimus C, Cavanagh BP, Hambly C, Speakman JR, Elliott-Sale KJ, Hannon MP, Morton JP. Energy Expenditure of Female International Standard Soccer Players. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021 Dec 28. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002850. Epub ahead of print.
  13. Nédélec E, Foli E, Shultz SJ, Swinton PA, Dolan E, Enright K, Piasecki J, Matthews JJ, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Effect of menstrual cycle phase, menstrual irregularities and hormonal contraceptive use on anterior knee laxity and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury occurrence in women: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Oct 29;7(4):e001170.
  14. Jackson T, Bostock EL, Hassan A, Greeves JP, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. The Legacy of Pregnancy: Elite Athletes and Women in Arduous Occupations. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2021 Oct 13.
  15. Matthews JJ, Dolan E, Swinton PA, Santos L, Artioli GG, Turner MD, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Effect of Carnosine or β-Alanine Supplementation on Markers of Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Humans and Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Adv Nutr. 2021 Jul 31:nmab087.
  16. Hackney, A.C. and Elliott-Sale, K.J. Exercise Endocrinology: What’s next? Endocrines, 2(3), 167-170; https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines2030017.
  17. Civil R, Brook MS, Elliott-Sale KJ, Santos L, Varley I, Lensu S, Kainulainen H, Koch LG, Britton SL, Wilkinson DJ, Smith K, Sale C, Atherton PJ. A collagen extraction and deuterium oxide stable isotope tracer method for the quantification of bone collagen synthesis rates in vivo. Physiol Rep. 2021 May;9(10):e14799. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14799.
  18. Bozzini BN, McFadden BA, Elliott-Sale KJ, Swinton PA, Arent SM. Evaluating the Effects of Oral Contraceptives Use on Biomarkers and Body Composition During a Competitive Season in Collegiate Female Soccer Players. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 May 6. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00818.2020. Epub ahead of print.
  19. Duffy D, Elliott-Sale KJ, Gardner H, Goldenstein S, Wideman L. Endocrine Responses to Sport-Related Brain Injury in Female Athletes: A Narrative Review and a Call for Action. Endocrines. 2021; 2(2):99-108. https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines2020010
  20. Elliott-Sale KJ, Minahan CL, de Jonge XAKJ, Ackerman KE, Sipilä S, Constantini NW, Lebrun CM, Hackney AC. Methodological Considerations for Studies in Sport and Exercise Science with Women as Participants: A Working Guide for Standards of Practice for Research on Women. Sports Med. 2021 May;51(5):843-861. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01435-8. Epub 2021 Mar 16.
  21. Martin D, Cooper SB, Tang JCY, Fraser WD, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Bone metabolic marker concentrations across the menstrual cycle and phases of combined oral contraceptive use. Bone. 2021 Apr;145:115864. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.115864. Epub 2021 Jan 26.
  22. Pitchers, G. Elliott-Sale, K.J., DeVivo, M., Donelon, T., Mills, H., Brokwell, E., Donnelly, G. Pregnancy in the female athlete – Part 1 antenatal. (2020). Professional Strength and Conditioning.58, 15-22.
  23. Tiller NB, Elliott-Sale KJ, Knechtle B, Wilson PB, Roberts JD, Millet GY. Do Sex Differences in Physiology Confer a Female Advantage in Ultra-Endurance Sport? Sports Med. 2021 May;51(5):895-915. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01417-2. Epub 2021 Jan 27.
  24. Martin D, Papageorgiou M, Colgan H, Bandelow S, Greeves J, Tang JCY, Fraser W, Cooper SB, Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. The effects of short-term low energy availability, achieved through diet or exercise, on cognitive function in oral contraceptive users and eumenorrheic women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021 Jan 5. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0474. Epub ahead of print.
  25. Elliott-Sale KJ, McNulty KL, Goodall S, Ansdell P, Thomas K, Swinton PA, Dolan E, Hicks KM. Reply to: Comment on: “The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” and “The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Exercise Performance in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”. Sports Med. 2021 May;51(5):1111-1113. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01383-9.
  26. Matthews JJ, Dolan E, Swinton PA, Santos L, Artioli GG, Turner MD, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. The effect of carnosine or β-alanine supplementation on markers of glycaemic control and insulin resistance in human and animal studies: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2020 Dec 5;9(1):282. doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01539-8.
  27. Elliott-Sale, K.J., Ross, E., Burden, R. and Hicks, K.M. (2020). The BASES Expert Statement on Conducting and Implementing Female Athlete-Based Research. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 65, 6-7.
  28. Elliott-Sale KJ, McNulty KL, Ansdell P, Goodall S, Hicks KM, Thomas K, Swinton PA, Dolan E. The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Exercise Performance in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2020 Oct;50(10):1785-1812. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01317-5.
  29. McNulty KL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Dolan E, Swinton PA, Ansdell P, Goodall S, Thomas K, Hicks KM. The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2020 Oct;50(10):1813-1827. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01319-3.
  30. Dolan E, Varley I, Ackerman KE, Pereira RMR, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. The Bone Metabolic Response to Exercise and Nutrition. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020 Apr;48(2):49-58. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000215.
  31. Ackerman KE, Stellingwerff T, Elliott-Sale KJ, Baltzell A, Cain M, Goucher K, Fleshman L, Mountjoy ML. #REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport): time for a revolution in sports culture and systems to improve athlete health and performance. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Apr;54(7):369-370. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101926. Epub 2020 Jan 10.
  32. Pitchers, G. and Elliott-Sale, K, J. (2019). Considerations for coaches training female athletes. Professional Strength and Conditioning, 55, 19-30.
  33. Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Nutrition and Athlete Bone Health. Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):139-151. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01161-2.
  34. Saunders B, Virgile A, Elliott-Sale KJ, Artioli GG, Swinton PA, Dolan E, Roschel H, Sale C, Gualano B. Infographic. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of β-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and performance. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Aug;54(15):925-926. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101129. Epub 2019 Aug 2.
  35. Alwan N, Moss SL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Davies IG, Enright K. A Narrative Review on Female Physique Athletes: The Physiological and Psychological Implications of Weight Management Practices. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Jun 13:1-8. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0037. Epub ahead of print.
  36. Desbrow B, Burd NA, Tarnopolsky M, Moore DR, Elliott-Sale KJ. Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Masters Athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Mar 1;29(2):220-227. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0269. Epub 2019 Feb 15.
  37. Martin D, Sale C, Cooper SB, Elliott-Sale KJ. Period Prevalence and Perceived Side Effects of Hormonal Contraceptive Use and the Menstrual Cycle in Elite Athletes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018 Aug 1;13(7):926-932. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0330. Epub 2018 Jul 27.
  38. Elliott-Sale KJ, Tenforde AS, Parziale AL, Holtzman B, Ackerman KE. Endocrine Effects of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018 Jul 1;28(4):335-349. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0127. Epub 2018 Jul 14.
  39. Papageorgiou M, Martin D, Colgan H, Cooper S, Greeves JP, Tang JCY, Fraser WD, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Bone metabolic responses to low energy availability achieved by diet or exercise in active eumenorrheic women. Bone. 2018 Sep;114:181-188. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2018.06.016. Epub 2018 Jun 19.
  40. Elliott-Sale KJ, Graham A, Hanley SJ, Blumenthal S, Sale C. Modern dietary guidelines for healthy pregnancy; maximising maternal and foetal outcomes and limiting excessive gestational weight gain. Eur J Sport Sci. 2019 Feb;19(1):62-70. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1476591. Epub 2018 May 29.
  41. Santos L, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Exercise and bone health across the lifespan. Biogerontology. 2017 Dec;18(6):931-946. doi: 10.1007/s10522-017-9732-6. Epub 2017 Oct 20.
  42. Papageorgiou M, Elliott-Sale KJ, Parsons A, Tang JCY, Greeves JP, Fraser WD, Sale C. Effects of reduced energy availability on bone metabolism in women and men. Bone. 2017 Dec;105:191-199. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.08.019. Epub 2017 Aug 25.
  43. Papageorgiou M, Dolan E, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Reduced energy availability: implications for bone health in physically active populations. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Apr;57(3):847-859. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1498-8. Epub 2017 Jul 18.
  44. Swift JA, Langley-Evans SC, Pearce J, Jethwa PH, Taylor MA, Avery A, Ellis S, McMullen S, Elliott-Sale KJ. Antenatal weight management: Diet, physical activity, and gestational weight gain in early pregnancy. Midwifery. 2017 Jun;49:40-46. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.01.016. Epub 2017 Jan 31.
  45. Townsend R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Currell K, Tang J, Fraser WD, Sale C. The Effect of Postexercise Carbohydrate and Protein Ingestion on Bone Metabolism. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 Jun;49(6):1209-1218. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001211.
  46. Fernandes, M.R., Franchini, E., Elliott-Sale, K.J. and Takito, M.Y. (2017). Does pregnancy affect the metabolic equivalent at rest and during low intensity exercise? Current Women Health Reviews, 13 (1), 38-43. doi:10.2174/1573404812666161027143806
  47. Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2017). The effects of exercise on postpartum weight retention in overweight and obese women. Current Women’s Health Reviews [Invited review], 13(1), 11-16. doi: 10.2174/1573404812666160815120213
  48. Martin, D. and Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2016). The Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives on Determinants of Female Athlete Performance: A Mini-Review. Brazilian Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 30 (4), 1087-96. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-55092016000401087
  49. Saunders B, Elliott-Sale K, Artioli GG, Swinton PA, Dolan E, Roschel H, Sale C, Gualano B. β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Apr;51(8):658-669. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096396. Epub 2016 Oct 18.
  50. Townsend R, Elliott-Sale KJ, Pinto AJ, Thomas C, Scott JP, Currell K, Fraser WD, Sale C. Parathyroid Hormone Secretion Is Controlled by Both Ionized Calcium and Phosphate During Exercise and Recovery in Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Aug;101(8):3231-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1848. Epub 2016 Jun 13.

BOOK CHAPTERS:

Elliott-sale, K.J. (2022 in press). Pregnancy, reproductive hormones and exercise. In Hackney , A.C. (Ed.), Sex Hormones, Exercise & Women (2nd edition).

Elliott-Sale, K.J, & Hicks, K. (2018). Hormonal-Based Contraception and the Exercising Female. In J. Forsyth, & C-M. Roberts (Eds.), The Exercising Female: Science and Its Application (Routledge Research in Sport and Exercise Science). Taylor & Francis.

CONSENSUS STATEMENTS:

2019. Invited author for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Nutrition Consensus on ‘Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Master athletes’. Output:

Desbrow, B., Burd, N.A., Tarnopolsky, M., Moore, D.R. and Elliott-Sale, K.J. (2019). Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Masters Athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 15, 1-8. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0269.

EXPERT STATEMENTS:

2020. The BASES Expert Statement on Conducting and Implementing Female Athlete-Based Research. Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Dr Emma Ross, Dr Richard Burden and Dr Kirsty Hicks. Published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist.

Career history

1995-present

1995-1998 BSc (Hons) Coaching Science atLiverpool John Moores University

1998-2001 PhD in Female Exercise Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University

2002 Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Brunel University

2003 Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton

2004-2008 Post-doctoral Research Fellow at King’s College London [embargoed data set]

2008-2009 18-month career break [maternity]

2009-2022 Senior Lecturer, Reader, Professor in Female Exercise Physiology at Nottingham Trent University

2022 Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University

Press and media

SELECTED WEBSITES

SELECTED BLOGS

  • Menstrual Cycle and Performance, MySportScience.Com

https://www.mysportscience.com/post/effects-of-menstrual-cycle-on-performance

  • Oral Contraceptives and Performance, MySportScience.Com

https://www.mysportscience.com/post/oral-contraceptives-and-performance

  • The pill and you performance, SHEPowerSport.Com

https://shepowersport.com/pill-performance/

SELECTED PODCASTS