Dr Elisa Nedelec

I am a researcher and physiotherapist specialising in female health, neuromuscular function, and clinical populations in sport and exercise. My work focuses on understanding hormonal influences on neuromuscular function and their implications for performance, injury risk, and symptom management. 

At Northumbria University, I am a postdoctoral research fellow investigating how hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use impact symptom severity in females with multiple sclerosis (MS). This research aims to improve symptom management strategies and enhance quality of life. I am also involved in the Period Education project, which promotes menstrual education in primary and secondary schools across the UK, helping to dismantle taboos and empower young people with knowledge about their bodies.

I hold a PhD in female exercise Physiology from Nottingham Trent University (NTU, UK), where I explored the relationship between reproductive hormone fluctuations and neuromuscular function in the knee extensor muscles, with a focus on non-contact ACL injury risk in female athletes and exercisers. Prior to my doctoral studies, I obtained a Master's in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Brussels, Belgium, and worked for eight years as a physiotherapist, specialising in orthopaedics, traumatology, neurology, and postural rehabilitation.

I am passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into meaningful improvements in health, performance, and well-being for female exercisers and clinical populations.