Why we need to talk about periods, breasts and injuries in women’s sport

But away from the drama and excitement on the pitch, there is also a scientific revolution taking place.

Teams of scientists are researching the unique ways that elite sport affects the female body – how breasts alter the way you run, but the right sports bra could give you the edge; how the menstrual cycle could impact performance and what role period trackers could play; and why is there a higher risk of some injuries, and what can be done to avoid them?

It’s a far cry from the era when professional female athletes told me they were thought of simply as “mini-men”.

Cast your mind back to the iconic scene from the final of the last European Championships in 2022.

It was extra time at Wembley and Lioness Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal against Germany.

In the ensuing euphoria, she whipped off her England shirt showing the world her sports bra.

It was fitted by Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, from the University of Portsmouth, who proudly goes by the nickname the Bra Professor.