BRINGING SCIENCE TO TREATMENT
Tracy is a Senior Chartered Physiotherapist with an MSc in Physiotherapy. She has a special interest in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. Tracy previously worked as Head Physiotherapist with Scottish Hockey and numerous other elite-level athletes within rugby, rowing, squash, triathlon, and ice skating. Tracy is an APPI Pilates Teacher and course presenter for Pilates Teacher trainees. She is the author of The Postnatal Pilates Guide and founder of Freshly Centered, an online multi-media Pilates platform in Scotland.
in Female Athletes, Improve, Prevent
Menopause is the natural end of a female’s menstrual cycle and can have profound and diverse effects on women. Tracy Ward discusses how the female athlete can adapt and continue to train through the menopausal transition. Menopause is the natural end of a female’s menstrual cycle, and clinicians define it as 12 months after the... MORE
in Acute injuries, Diagnose & Treat, Female Athletes, Other, Pre-hab and post-surgical rehab
Sports-related concussions (SRC) occur in most sports at all levels. However, female athletes experience more concussions and worse outcomes than their male counterparts, yet these gender differences are unknown in clinical practice. Tracy Ward explores the pathophysiology, implications, and management of SRC in female athletes. Sports-related concussion (SRC) management is at the forefront of sports... MORE
in Female Athletes, Improve, Other, Pre-hab and post-surgical rehab, Tools and technology
The menstrual cycle occurs approximately monthly in women of reproductive age. The hormonal fluctuations affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuromuscular systems. Tracy Ward discusses the implications of the menstrual cycle on training and competition periodization in female athletes. The number of women participating in exercise and professional sport has risen significantly over the past three... MORE
in Female Athletes, Improve, Other
The effects of sleep on performance are well understood. In part two, Tracy Ward explores the sleep-recovery relationship and provides recommendations for improving sleep quality and quantity in female athletes. Optimizing sleep in female athletes The average person requires approximately 7-9 hours of sleep per night to promote wellbeing and reduce morbidity and mortality(1). However,... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Improve, Leg injuries, Overuse injuries
Achilles tendinopathy is a common yet complex condition to treat. New findings suggest subgrouping patients could enhance treatment and recovery. Tracy Ward recaps tendon pathology and explains how subgrouping athletes may improve clinical outcomes. Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most common overuse injuries, with a prevalence rate of approximately 10%(1). The injury usually... MORE
Athletes may experience fear avoidance when exposed to an unpleasant physical or cognitive experience. The perception of their experience may lead to anxiety and stress dysfunctions. Breathing and mindfulness techniques can minimize an athletes’ psychological perceptions, but can these components enhance sports performance? Tracy Ward looks at using breathwork and mindfulness to improve performance. Cleveland... MORE
in Ankle and foot injuries, Diagnose & Treat
The balance of the articular and muscular systems within the foot and ankle complex is crucial for optimal loading to withstand sporting demands. Tracy Ward explains the architecture, biomechanics, and clinical application to build the foundation from the foot up. The foot and ankle complex controls balance and posture and counteracts gravitational forces. The body’s... MORE
in Improve, Power development, Strength
Female athletes use resistance training to enhance their strength and performance. The pelvic floor is perhaps the only region where physical exertion may create a negative effect. Tracy Ward examines the issue to determine if females are at risk of causing or worsening pelvic floor problems with weighttraining. Females have unique anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology... MORE
in Female Athletes, Improve, Strength
Female athletes with persistent musculoskeletal pain may suffer from joint hypermobility syndrome. Though often overlooked, it is associated with an increase in injuries and can significantly affect athletic abilities. Tracy Wardprovides an overview of the condition, its implications, and specific treatment strategies to enhance performance. Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHMS) is a connective tissue disorder that... MORE
Clinical pathways and protocols often dictate exercise prescription based on the diagnosis. However, as Tracy Ward explains, understanding muscle structure, function, metabolism, and movement allow for innovative program design tailored to each athlete. Diagnosis-based protocols focus on the specific injury. For example, hamstring injuries are treated with Nordic exercises, adductor strains with the Copenhagen protocol, Achilles... MORE
