Celebrating Leadership in Female Athlete Health and Safety
AWHF-Supported Expert Leads the Conversation on Female Athlete Health
The Alberta Women’s Health Foundation (AWHF) proudly celebrated the participation of Dr. Margie Davenport for her participation as a panelist in the Female, Woman, and Girl Athlete Health and Safety Summit in Calgary, held from September 23rd to 25th.
Dr. Davenport is an AWHF-supported Women and Children Health Institute (WCHRI) researcher specializing in gender bias in sport. The summit brought together national and international leaders, researchers, and collaborators to advance health, safety, and equity for female athletes at all levels of sport.
On the first day of the summit, Dr. Davenport presented Considerations for Female/Woman Athletes During Pregnancy and Postpartum. She was joined by Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh, a former AWHF-supported researcher, who discussed “For the Next Generation, Learn from Athletes and Their Experiences”: Critical Psychosocial Considerations for Supporting Women and Girls in Sport. Together, they unpacked the critical distinctions between sex and gender in promoting athlete health and safety, helping to inform evidence-based strategies for coaches, clinicians, and sport leaders.
The summit built on the momentum of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Female, Woman, and Girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) Consensus, a transdisciplinary initiative advancing research, leadership, and training in athlete health and safety. The event also highlighted Canadian leadership, the impact of women researchers in sport science, and collaborations with IOC Research Centres internationally. By sharing research findings, best practices, and real-world insights, participants helped shape the future of safe and equitable sport for female, woman, and girl athletes.
Through research, collaboration, and advocacy, participants fostered a culture of safety, inclusivity, and excellence in sport, building a brighter, healthier future for female athletes in Canada and beyond.
To the many researchers (like Dr. Davenport and Dr. McHugh!), clinicians, athletes, and community partners who worked toward greater gender equity in sport and athlete health, the AWHF applauds your dedication. Your work ensured that women and girls not only competed safely but thrived in environments that recognized and responded to their unique needs.
Meet Dr. Margie Davenport and Her Groundbreaking Research on Gender Bias in Sport
Dr. Margie Davenport has collaborated with the FIFA Women’s Development Program to shed new light on the experiences of athletes who remain active during pregnancy. Working with a team of international researchers, she surveyed 395 athletes (primarily soccer players) across Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The findings revealed that continuing to participate in contact sports during pregnancy carries far fewer risks than previously assumed and that the physical activity offers significant benefits for mental health and postpartum recovery.
Her team’s related research found that pregnant athletes who reduce their training by more than 50 percent are twice as likely to experience an injury after giving birth, underscoring the importance of maintaining safe levels of activity.
This year, Dr. Davenport's leadership reached a new milestone as she spearheaded the development of the world’s first stand-alone guideline on exercise and sleep for new mothers. Published in a special issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the guideline was accompanied by seven systematic reviews and meta-analyses on postpartum exercise, a testament to the dedication and expertise of the trainees in her lab.
The AWHF is proud to support three leading researchers: Dr. Margie Davenport, Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh and Dr. Amber Mosewich. Their work is helping break down gender bias in sport and is featured in our Practice More Parity campaign, which highlights the need for greater equity in sport and women’s health.