Why Women’s Sports Rehab Needs a Different Approach: What the FAIR Consensus Tells Us
In recent years, sports science has begun to address an important gap: women have not always been adequately represented in exercise, injury prevention, and rehabilitation research. The FAIR Consensus—an international evidence-based statement led by global experts —marks a major step forward in changing this. It was developed and published in 2025. The international consensus meeting took place from 31 March to 2 April 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the resulting recommendations were released as part of a suite of documents throughout 2025 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. bjsm.bmj.com
At Massage 4 Sport, we believe that effective sports massage and rehabilitation should be grounded in the best available research and tailored to the individual. Here’s why the FAIR Consensus matters for women, and how it shapes modern sports rehab practice.
What Is the FAIR Consensus?
FAIR stands for Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury Prevention. It is a global consensus developed by over 100 researchers and clinicians to improve how injuries are prevented, managed, and reduced in women and girls who participate in sport and physical activity.
Historically, many exercise and rehab guidelines were based largely on male participants. The FAIR Consensus recognises that women are not simply “smaller men”—biological, biomechanical, and social differences all influence injury risk, recovery, and performance.
Why This Matters for Sports Massage & Rehabilitation
1. Women Experience Different Injury Patterns
Research highlighted by the FAIR Consensus shows that women are more likely to experience certain injuries, particularly in the lower body (such as knee, hip, and ankle injuries). Factors influencing this include:
Strength and neuromuscular control
Movement mechanics
Training exposure
Environmental and social factors
This means rehabilitation and recovery strategies should be individualised rather than generic.
2. Strength, Movement & Recovery Are Central to Prevention
One of the key takeaways from the FAIR Consensus is that structured strength and movement training plays a critical role in injury prevention for women.
In a sports rehab setting, this aligns closely with:
Targeted strengthening alongside manual therapy
Correcting movement patterns
Progressive loading during return-to-sport phases
Sports massage supports this process by:
Reducing muscle tension
Improving circulation and tissue quality
Supporting recovery between training or rehab sessions
3. Rehab Is Not Just About the Injury
The FAIR Consensus also emphasises supportive environments, which means considering the whole person—not just the injured tissue.
In practice, this includes:
Listening to client experiences and goals
Adjusting rehab plans to lifestyle and training demands
Creating a safe, inclusive space for women in sport and exercise
At Massage 4 Sport this philosophy guides how we combine hands-on sports massage with evidence-based rehab principles.
What This Means for Our Clients
If you’re an active woman—whether you train regularly, play sport, or are returning to exercise after injury—the FAIR Consensus supports what many clinicians now know:
✔ Rehab should be individualised
✔ Recovery plans should consider strength, movement, and load management
✔ Manual therapy like sports massage works best when integrated into a broader rehab strategy
Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Care
At Massage 4 Sport, we stay informed on current research so we can provide:
Thoughtful, client-centred sports massage
Rehab-informed treatment plans
Support for injury prevention, recovery, and performance
The FAIR Consensus reinforces the importance of doing things properly—and differently when needed—for women in sport and exercise.
Ready to Support Your Recovery?
If you’re looking for sports massage or sports rehabilitation that reflects the latest thinking in women’s exercise science, we’d love to help.