Research

The world leader in female athlete research

Historically, research in sport science and sports medicine has primarily focused on male populations, resulting in a significant lack of understanding when it comes to female athletes’ health and performance. A 2021 study conducted by Cowley and colleagues examined 5,261 studies published in six sport science and sports medicine journals. The study revealed that only 34% of participants were women, and a mere 6% of studies focused exclusively on women. This underrepresentation of female athletes can be attributed to the belief that female physiology is complex, difficult to comprehend, and expensive to study adequately.

To bridge this gender gap and enhance the health, performance, and well-being of female athletes, the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program is dedicated to conducting female-athlete specific research. Our aim is to apply our findings directly to sports training and competition, sports medicine practice, mental health approaches, nutritional considerations, future research directions, and overall support for athletes through coaching, training, and more.

Female-specific considerations in interdisciplinary, clinical research

The clinical and research specialists at the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program are actively tackling critical questions in the realm of sports medicine and sports science research. The successful completion of these projects will have a profound impact on the health, performance, and overall participation of female athletes.

The ongoing research endeavors of the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program encompass a range of topics, including:

Study spotlight: Female athlete resilience

In a collaborative effort involving Boston Children’s Hospital, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, and Trinity University, our team is engaged in groundbreaking research to identify modifiable risk factors that contribute to psychological resilience among female student-athletes. Through a comprehensive year-long survey, we are assessing constructs including emotional regulation, resilience levels, anxiety, depression, injury, sleep patterns, and more. A subset of study participants are also utilizing WHOOP straps, enabling us to validate the identified risk factors and examine associations between physiological outcomes, such as sleep quality and heart rate variability, and psychological resilience. The integration of wearable technology expands the scope of our study and provides valuable insights to inform the future assessment and treatment of female athletes. By delving into these factors, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of facets of psychological resilience.

The ultimate objective of this research is to publish findings and utilize knowledge gained to shape future programming. By harnessing psychological resilience in female athletes, we aspire to bolster sport participation, enhance performance, and promote overall health and well-being. This study holds great promise for making significant contributions to the field of sports science and positively impacting the lives of female athletes.

Collaboration in pursuit of our goals

The Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program at Boston Children’s Hospital is led by a dedicated multidisciplinary team that specializes in providing comprehensive medical care and conducting groundbreaking research specifically tailored to the needs of female athletes. Our team comprises esteemed international collaborators and advisors who share a common commitment to promoting the health, performance, and well-being of female athletes.

Meet our team

Translating research knowledge to clinical practice, advocacy, and education

At the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, we prioritize translating research knowledge into practical applications for clinical practice, coaching, training, and other aspects of health and performance. Our focus is on research that directly benefits athletes, supporters, and various stakeholders. We are dedicated to actively engaging in education and advocacy efforts to ensure that research knowledge is effectively communicated and utilized to benefit the athletic community.

Learn more about our education and advocacy efforts

Disseminating research findings far and wide

At the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, we recognize the importance of disseminating our research findings to a broader audience. Since the launch of the Innovation Hub @ Boston Children’s Hospital two years ago, our dedicated researchers and collaborators have already published more than 200 papers. Our team members regularly participate as speakers at international conferences and events, including the Women in Sport Congress, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Injury and Illness Prevention Conference, and the IOC Advanced Team Course. Furthermore, we often contribute to news articles, media features, and podcasts.

Two years after the launch of the Innovation Hub @ Boston Children’s Hospital, our researchers and collaborators have published more than 200 papers.

Program director Dr. Kathryn Ackerman, along with esteemed Wu Tsai collaborators Dr. Trent Stellingwerff and Dr. Louise Burke, are authors on the 2023 IOC RED-S consensus updates. These papers provide valuable insights into the latest advancements in prevention, clinical management, research methodology, and our scientific understanding of RED-S. We are excited to contribute to the ongoing progress in this field and to share our expertise with the global sports medicine community.

View recent media and publications by and about members of our team