Loughborough University has officially launched its groundbreaking Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub – underpinning its commitment to accelerating growth and excellence in the women’s sport sector.

The multi-million-pound Hub – launched in partnership with Vitality – will deliver cutting edge research and innovation by bringing together leading academics, industry partners, national governing bodies, and elite-level athletes to drive positive change at every level of the women’s sporting ecosystem. 

This includes development in areas such as the menstrual cycle and its physiological impact on sport performance, the design of pregnancy and postpartum sportswear, sports nutrition in elite female athletes, digital technologies and innovation in sports bras. 

As a partner, Vitality will directly fund a series of PhD projects at the hub and work closely with the University to use research and innovation to better understand and break down the barriers women face to living an active and healthy life.

Launched with a visit from Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth (Department for Culture, Media and Sport – DCMS), the Hub became fully operational in March 2025. 

It brings together four University Schools/Institutes (the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, the Sports Technology Institute, the School of Design and Creative Arts, and the Institute of Sport Business) who will work collaboratively across elite, grassroots, and policy levels, ensuring its influence is felt far beyond the University campus.

Speaking about the Hub Professor Jo Maher, Loughborough University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, said: “Women’s sport is growing and professionalising at a rapid pace and, to date, research and education has not made enough progress to understand the unique challenges faced in the sector.

“Loughborough University is committed to transforming the research and innovation landscape, leveraging our world-leading expertise to directly address the issues that matter most to women across diverse sporting and exercising groups.”

Minister Stephanie Peacock, commented: “The launch of Loughborough University's Sport Research and Innovation Hub for women is an exciting step for the sector as we seek to grow women's sport, from the elite to the grassroots, right across the country.

“For too long women have felt excluded from participation in sports, and not benefited from comparable medical research into why performance and injuries can differ to men’s sport. So, I commend Loughborough University on this groundbreaking initiative which will help more women from all backgrounds get active, provide valuable insight and support the government's goal of removing barriers to sport.”

Dr Katie Tryon, Commercial Director at Vitality said: “There is overwhelming evidence of the benefits of living a healthy and active life, yet in our latest research women’s sport and activity levels continue to not reach recommended levels or the levels they themselves would like to get to.

“This is a societal issue and one we are committed to playing our role in. We are therefore pleased to be announcing not only an investment today, with Loughborough University, but a partnership that will seek to better understand how we can support women’s sport at all levels and further tackle the barriers that are preventing women living a more active life.”

Karen Carney OBE, Loughborough University’s Ambassador for Sport, Health and Wellbeing added: “This much-needed initiative will be a game-changer for women’s sport. From my experience as an athlete and my work chairing the government review into women’s football, it’s clear that more must be done to ensure women have access to high-quality, tailored healthcare.

“Research into the unique physical, mental, and social health challenges faced by women athletes remains insufficient. The Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub at Loughborough University marks a powerful step forward in driving real, lasting change. I’m excited to see universities playing a leading role in advancing our understanding and improving women's sport across health, community, and elite levels.”

For more information, visit the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub website.