New research and guidelines allow pregnant players to continue training at low intensity, challenging previous myths about high-impact sports and pregnancy.
Claire Emslie, a Scotland international, has been documenting her journey through pregnancy and football training on social media. She trained at high intensity throughout her pregnancy and returned to competitive action by May 2026.
Research suggests that while full-contact football should be avoided after the first trimester, low-contact and modified training can continue in the absence of any medical reason for it not to.
Why this matters: The growing number of female footballers getting pregnant in their athletic prime is changing the narrative around women's sports and pregnancy.
What this means for you: If you're a female footballer or considering becoming one, this new research may change your understanding of what it means to be pregnant and play sports.
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