As the women’s sports industry matures, it is entering new frontiers that will shape its future development. One of the most significant is the investment in women’s health and performance research. Historically, women have been largely excluded from sports science, making up only 6% of research subjects in studies of athletic performance and injury prevention. This lack of female-specific data has real consequences for injury prevention, performance optimization, and long-term health outcomes for female athletes. In 2025, major initiatives launched to address this research gap.
Research Initiatives in Women’s Sports Health
The Gatorade Sports Science Institute announced a partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League to conduct comprehensive research on female athletes’ nutritional and performance needs. UC Berkeley launched its Women’s Health and Performance Initiative, a multidisciplinary research center focused on understanding how female physiology affects athletic performance and health across the lifespan. U.S. Soccer announced the Kang Women’s Institute, backed by Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang, which will fund research on everything from ACL injury prevention to the effects of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance. These research initiatives represent a recognition that the one-size-fits-all approach to sports science has failed female athletes and that targeted investment in women’s health research is essential for the continued growth and professionalization of women’s sports.
Women’s Health Research Funding
| Initiative | Organization | Funding | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Health and Performance Initiative | UC Berkeley | $20 million | Physiology, injury prevention |
| Kang Women’s Institute | U.S. Soccer | $15 million | ACL prevention, menstrual cycle effects |
| PWHL Research Partnership | Gatorade Sports Science Institute | $5 million | Nutrition, hydration, performance |
| Female Athlete Health Initiative | FIFA | $10 million | Concussion, ACL, mental health |
| Women in Sport Research Hub | UK Sport | $8 million | Talent development, welfare |
ACL Injury Rates: Men vs Women
| Sport | Men’s ACL Rate | Women’s ACL Rate | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | 1.2 per 10,000 exposures | 3.5 per 10,000 exposures | Women 3x more likely |
| Soccer | 0.6 per 10,000 exposures | 2.8 per 10,000 exposures | Women 4.6x more likely |
| Gymnastics | 0.8 per 10,000 exposures | 3.2 per 10,000 exposures | Women 4x more likely |
| Handball | 0.7 per 10,000 exposures | 3.1 per 10,000 exposures | Women 4.4x more likely |
Infrastructure Investment and Sports Betting Growth
The sports betting industry is also beginning to target women’s sports as a growth opportunity. While currently less than 5% of women’s sports matches are available on major betting platforms, this represents significant white space for growth. Expanding betting coverage could drive visibility, fan engagement, and data integration, further embedding women’s sports in the mainstream economy. However, this is a nuanced area with potential downsides, and there are calls for responsible models that align with the values of women’s sports fandom and protect athletes from exploitation. Finally, a wave of investment is flowing into physical infrastructure for women’s sports. Teams are building purpose-built facilities for their female athletes, a clear sign of long-term confidence in the market.
