The Women’s Physical Activity, Health and Sport Network, led by Prof. Melitta McNarry, was established with funding from the Wales Innovation Network (WIN), which aims to harness the strengths of Welsh universities to support external research income generation and deliver impact for Wales. Ideally placed, WIPAHS, in collaboration with the Welsh Institute of Performance Science (WIPS), has proactively targeted women’s physical activity and health research. This Special Interest Group serves as a dynamic testbed for developing pan-Wales research initiatives that align with national policy priorities, driving innovation and impact across the country.
The network has been established to advance research into women’s physical activity, health, and sport—spanning from menarche to menopause. The group comprises experts in physiology, genetics, psychology, physical activity, behaviour change, primary care, and health economics, while also integrating key public representatives, including Welsh Government, the National Health Service (NHS), Sport Wales, Public Health Wales, and Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales. To identify priority and novel research areas, as well as associated funding opportunities, we initiated a series of interconnected projects through an initial sandpit event, followed by focused workshops. At the inaugural sandpit event in May 2024, five project-specific workshops were identified and subsequently delivered in June and July 2024. The integration of key stakeholders and public involvement has ensured that these research areas support the Period Proud Wales Action Plan and the forthcoming Women’s Health Plan—both key Welsh Government priorities.
As a result of these workshops, multiple funding bids have been submitted or are in the process of being developed to further advance research and improve outcomes in women’s physical activity, health, and sport.
On 25th March 2025, the project will present its research to policymakers and researchers at the Wales Innovation Network event in the Senedd.
