INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana University, in collaboration with Indiana Sports Corp and Pacers Sports & Entertainment, will launch a first-of-its-kind research program dedicated to the health, performance and lifelong well-being of female athletes. The Female Sports Performance and Research Initiative, announced to coincide with TEDSports Indianapolis, aims to fill a critical gap in sports science: the limited focus on female athletes in performance and health research.
This initiative builds on momentum from a convening hosted earlier this year by the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, IU researchers, Indiana Sports Corp and other industry partners. It marks a major step in further establishing Indiana, and Indianapolis specifically, as the nation's epicenter for women's sports research, innovation and policy leadership.
"Indiana University is proud to lead this vital initiative to champion female athletes," IU President Pamela Whitten said. "This work reflects our commitment to advancing research with real-world impact and Indiana's leadership in shaping the future of women's sports."
Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, sports governing bodies, clinicians and more, the Female Sports Performance and Research Initiative will advance understanding of the health and wellness of girls and women in organized sports. Researchers will generate high-quality data specific to female athletes that will support evidence-based guidelines for training, injury prevention, recovery and overall health promotion. The initiative will also enable students, researchers and clinicians from various backgrounds to gain hands-on training in the science of female athlete health and performance.
Women's sports surging, but research lags
Over the past decade, participation in girls' and women's sports has reached record highs. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, female high school athletic participation surpassed 3.5 million in 2024-25, with flag football and wrestling driving 60% and 15% year-over-year gains, respectively. At the collegiate level, women now represent over 44% of all NCAA athletes.
This growth comes amid unprecedented visibility and momentum for women's sports in Indiana. Stars of the Indiana Fever have brought women's sports into the national spotlight, breaking attendance and viewership records, selling out arenas and redefining fan engagement.
"The explosion of participation and popularity in women's sports is one of the most important cultural and economic shifts of our time," IU LAB President and CEO David Rosenberg said. "Yet the science and data behind women's athletic performance haven't caught up. This initiative positions Indiana at the forefront of research that supports the health, performance and well-being of female athletes."
Female athletes receive limited focus in sports medicine, performance science and injury prevention research, where protocols are still often derived from male-dominated data sets. This initiative directly addresses that imbalance.
Long-term investment in Indiana's leadership and economy
This work will generate benefits far beyond athletes' health. Global revenues in women's sports are forecasted to reach about $2.35 billion in 2025, according to Deloitte.
In Indiana, the impact is already visible. From NCAA championships to WNBA games, women's sports have brought millions in tourism, hospitality and media exposure to the state. Research and innovation in this area will further solidify Indiana's position as a national leader in sports science, technology commercialization and athlete development.
What they're saying:
Kelly Krauskopf, president of the Indiana Fever: "We're proud to be part of this game-changing initiative to ensure female athletes receive the research-backed care they deserve. As women's sports continue to surge, it's critical we have research centered on female athletes' physiology to support overall performance and long-term health."
Patrick Talty, president of Indiana Sports Corp: "Indiana is ready to lead a national movement to reimagine the female athletic experience. This effort is deeply rooted in our city's commitment to sports innovation and community impact, and it aligns with our economic strategy to lead the future of sports."
Katie Siek, professor of informatics at IU, and Avinash Chandran, chief science officer at Datalys Center: "From a research perspective, there remains a significant need to better understand the unique health and performance experiences of girls and women in sport. Addressing the many unanswered questions in this area requires targeted, interdisciplinary research that is not only led by experts across multiple domains but is also grounded in meaningful engagement with the athlete communities it is intended to serve. As co-chairs of the research committee for this initiative, we are proud to champion this effort in Indiana, partnering with national and global scientific leaders to advance the field and improve the health trajectories of female athletes."
