Inside Manchester City Women’s Approach to Recovery with Emma Deakin

At Manchester City Women’s Football Club, recovery isn’t just a protocol; it’s a performance driver embedded across every department. During a recent visit to the Etihad Campus, we sat down with Emma Deakin, Director of Performance Services, to learn how recovery is individualised, how Performance Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is used as both a tool and a habit, and why trust and education underpin everything. 

From her early days as a military physio to her leadership role at one of the top women’s football clubs, Emma has always viewed recovery as a cornerstone of high performance. “Recovery is just as important as performance,” she says. “To go again, you’ve got to maximise it.” 

 

Starting with relationships

For Emma, performance starts with communication. Across physio, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and national team support, the common thread is trust. That extends into how City supports players before, during, and after international breaks. “We make sure our players go into tournaments in the best shape possible and come back in the best shape possible. That only works if we’re working collaboratively with national teams.” 

A recovery model that adapts to the athlete

City's approach to recovery is proactive and highly personalised. Profiling, daily monitoring, and regular blood testing help guide interventions, while athletes are encouraged to choose from a tailored menu of recovery options depending on how they feel. “We try to match the modality of recovery to the modality of fatigue,” says Emma. “If it’s inflammation, we’ll treat that. If it’s oxidative stress, we’ll look at a different solution. It’s about being efficient and effective.” 

This applies to fuelling too. With players from multiple cultural backgrounds, Emma works closely with the club nutritionist to ensure recovery nutrition is effective, inclusive, and accessible. 

 

The role of Hytro BFR

BFR is deeply embedded in how Manchester City Women approach both rehab and recovery. For most players, it’s already a trusted tool thanks to past use in injury management. “Because they’ve used it before, there’s no resistance. It doesn’t feel like a new or risky tool, it’s normal. It works, and they can feel it.” 

That sensory feedback builds instant buy-in and encourages autonomy. Athletes can use BFR actively, on the bike post-match, or passively as part of a low-effort flush. It’s even incorporated into cold water immersion, where players strap in during the ice bath and unstrap as they exit to maximise the flushing effect. 

Buy-in through choice

What really sets City’s approach apart is the balance of structure and autonomy. Players aren’t told how to recover; they’re equipped to choose the method that works best. “We have a recovery menu. The girls aren’t forced into an ice bath. They pick what makes them feel best. That’s what drives consistency and accountability.” 

 

Education through the pathway

That culture of ownership starts early. In the academy, recovery education is built around age and stage, with a focus on parents in the younger age groups to help establish fuelling and sleep routines from the start. “By the time they transition to the first team, they already understand the basics. Then we can build on that and go deeper. What does good sleep look like for you? What recovery tools help you go again?” 

Listening, not just testing

Data plays a key role in decision-making, but it never replaces the athlete’s voice. “If a player tells you they’re tired, they’re tired,” Emma says. “The data might not always show it. But that subjective input is just as important as the numbers.” 

This balance of science and intuition is especially important when travel fatigue comes into play. A light session after a long coach ride can flag unexpectedly high recovery scores. Not because of physical exertion, but because of disrupted sleep, late arrivals, and unfamiliar beds. 

 

Driving research in women’s health

While the menstrual cycle gets much of the attention, Emma is focused on the broader spectrum of female athlete health, including bra fit, pelvic health, and postpartum return. Each area holds untapped performance potential. “We’re seeing more athletes coming back after having a baby. That used to be unheard of. Now we need to know how to support that. What does the return look like?” 

Merging modalities, grounded in practice

At City, innovation doesn’t mean chasing the latest trend. It means refining what works and combining it in ways that deliver real-world impact. “We know cold immersion works. We know BFR works. So, we put them together and ask what we can get from that? That’s how we innovate, through evidence and curiosity.” 

At Manchester City Women, recovery isn’t reactive. It’s planned, personalised and part of the performance model. With leaders like Emma Deakin driving the strategy, and tools like Hytro BFR helping athletes recover faster and train harder, the result is a team built to outperform, on and off the pitch. 

Smarter recovery, stronger performance. Discover Hytro for your team.