LSU is on track to become the leading institute in women’s health and wellness using cutting-edge research conducted by the Women’s Sport and Health Initiative.
Led by the School of Kinesiology’s Director John Nauright, the initiative formed last year to contribute pertinent research about women’s unique physiology and biology and advocate for new opportunities for women and girls to participate in movement-based activities. Under the College of Human Sciences and Education, Nauright hopes to make LSU the number one research institution for women’s health by combining science and social education.
The initiative is made up of five labs. It combines research in exercise science, behavioral and health analysis and work on policy and planning for better health, performance and success. It also examines the elite women’s sports industry, looking at NCAA sports, international professional soccer, basketball, rugby, Australian football and Olympic sports, according to its mission statement.
“We’re kind of encompassing the whole ecosystem of sport, physical activity and health across the lifespan for girls and women because as many people will tell you these days, women are not small men,” Nauright said.
Nauright joined LSU in June last year and serves as the Karen Wax Schmitt and Family Endowed Professor. Shortly after starting at the university, he realized that 15 faculty members were conducting individual research labs. Using his nearly 30 years of research experience in various issues surrounding women’s sports, Nauright brought the labs together to form one initiative.
“There is an absolute need to serve our population in Louisiana as well as creating models of excellence in research that can translate globally,” Nauright said.
The sports industry has historically been structured around men, leaving women out of sport science research until recently. Recognizing this exclusion left little knowledge on how best to support women athletes physically and mentally, Nauright created the initiative to fill this gap in research.
“It’s one of those situations where in my view, we have a responsibility as LSU to be the leading center for research, outreach and impact for the state of Louisiana,” Nauright said.
As of this month, eight LSU women’s sports teams are ranked in the top 25 in the nation in their respective polls, with six teams in the top 10. But despite LSU’s domination in women’s sports and the stellar health of its athletes, the same is not reflected in the rest of the state’s population. Last year, studies ranked Louisiana as 50th in the country for health and 46th for women’s health and reproductive care outcomes.
“As a public institution, we have a responsibility to uphold the public trust and to be efficient in our use of resources,” Nauright said.
Nauright explained that many girls who start sports young often quit during puberty because of ill-fitting equipment, concerns about menstrual stains on uniforms and body shaming. The initiative has partnered with outside organizations like Power to Play, Period, a global non-profit helping to create supportive, inclusive education on menstrual health in sport and physical education.
“Believe it or not, one of the big outcomes of this work has been to get more teams not to put girls in white shorts,” Nauright explained.
Girls who stay in sports are more likely to earn leadership positions, stay physically active and live healthier, more successful lives. Maggie Mac Neil, a three-time Olympic medalist and former LSU swimmer, said swimming was essential to shaping who she is today.
“I think it’s really important for young girls to get those experiences,” Mac Neil said. “It’s ultimately such a pivotal point in life if they get to participate. That will definitely impact them going forward as it has with me.”
Mac Neil recalled LSU as a supportive environment that focused on promoting women’s health and prioritizing athletes’ mental health. Since graduating with her master’s in sports management in May last year, she worked closely with Nauright to bring an athlete’s perspective to the initiative.
“I think being able to use our platform to show all the great athletes we have, especially great female athletes, is really going to impact LSU sports going forward,” Mac Neil said. “And also how we can help to bring more awareness to and promote women’s sports outside of the college realm.”
Lizzy Ratcliff, a doctoral student on the initiative’s team, coaches high school basketball in Lafayette where she often sees male players taking over the court while the female players take a break. It’s during these interactions Ratcliff longs for a day of equality in sports.
“At halftime the boys will take over the court and refuse to get off once the girls return,” Ratcliff said. “But they’re obviously scared and don’t want to do that [kick the boys off] because they’re young and boys are stealing their balls and stuff.”
This situation explains why Nauright calls for male allies to stand up for women and their right to play their respective sport, leading to a cooperative fight for equality.
The directors plan to announce the global advisory board for the initiative in April.
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