News Archives - Health and Wellness Equity Research Group

Is ‘Dad Strength’ Real?

maddysheppardperkins — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:32:43 +0000

Some men run faster after becoming fathers. While research is lacking, runners and scientists have theories about why. The article “Is ‘Dad Strength’ Real?” from Outside Online explores why some male runners hit peak performance after becoming fathers, suggesting that the responsibilities of parenthood might bring renewed focus, motivation, and structure to training routines. Drawing on insights from sports scientists and elite athletes, the piece investigates whether this so-called “dad strength” is more than a cultural myth. Research from our team – led by Dr. Francine Darroch and Sydney Smith – contributed to this conversation, offering evidence on how shifting identities and life transitions, such as fatherhood, can influence athletic performance and well-being.

Fast as a mother: Elite runners’ training during pregnancy and postpartum

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:07:32 +0000

This article summarizes key findings from a ‘first of its kind’ study where training and performance outcomes among 42 pregnant and postpartum elite and world-class female distance runners were assessed.

What Professional Athletes Can Tell Us �Ӱ�ԭ�� Exercise and Pregnancy

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:21:11 +0000

This article written by Cornelia Powers and published in The Cut discusses common misconceptions surrounding exercise during pregnancy and provides guidance on safe and beneficial practices. The article, featuring Dr. Francine Darroch, emphasizes that exercise is generally safe for pregnant women and can have numerous benefits, including improved mood, energy levels, and overall health. The article debunks myths such as the idea that exercise can cause miscarriage and advises pregnant individuals to listen to their bodies, stay hydrated, and choose low-impact activities. Additionally, it highlights the importance of consulting with a healthcare provider before starting or continuing an exercise routine during pregnancy.

News: Dr. Francine Darroch awarded Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 03:07:47 +0000

Dr. Francine Darroch was awarded the Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award for her exceptional service to her graduate students. Read what her students shared about her below:

“I owe Francine my complete gratitude for her influence on many of my life changing experiences while at �Ӱ�ԭ��. Working with Francine has inspired me to explore a career in community-based health research, which I would never have previously considered.”
“She is the most equity-focused professor I have encountered at �Ӱ�ԭ��, and she is both understanding and respectful of my limitations while encouraging my autonomy to make decisions about what I am and am not able to handle at any given time. This is exceedingly rare.”
“Darroch takes a person-centric approach to mentorship, allowing students to carve out projects and engage in opportunities based on their academic, professional, and personal goals. Although she often supervises upwards of 10 students at a time, she somehow remembers everyone’s individual interests and ambitions, finding ways to support their unique academic and professional endeavours.”

News: Dr. Francine Darroch awarded �Ӱ�ԭ�� University Research Achievement Award

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:58:09 +0000

Dr. Francine Darroch was awarded the CU Research Achievement Award for her community based research exploring trauma- and violence-informed movement for equity-owed fathers.

The benefits of physical activity are well-documented, however, there is limited research examining access to physical activity for single fathers in equity-owed communities who may face multiple vectors of oppression such as income instability, precarious housing, and trauma. Through this community-based research, we aim to co-create gender-based trauma- and violence-informed physical activity (TVIPA) programming and assess if this strategy may promote health and create social and community connections for single fathers and their families.

Why taking a trauma- and violence-informed approach can make sport safer and more equitable

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 22:24:22 +0000

This article, written by Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst and Dr. Francine Darroch highlight the ways in which trauma- and violence-informed approaches can enhance safety across abusive, patriarchal sporting culture. Drs. Hayhurst and Darroch call for collaborative, evidence-based and novel solutions to address violence in sport and support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Read the full article

Government of Canada announces recipients of Knowledge Synthesis Grants on gender-based violence

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 17:49:52 +0000

On February 21, 2023, The Government of Canada announced the recipients of Knowledge Synthesis Grants on genre-based violence. Dr. Francine Darroch, in partnership with Heather MacDonald and Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst, was awarded funding for their project titled Strengthening Core Understanding of Physical Activity for Individuals who Experience Gender Based Violence: A Scoping Review Approach.

Government of Canada supports projects to prevent and address family violence

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 17:02:54 +0000

On October 18, 2022, The Government of Canada announced funding to support projects to prevent and address family violence, one of which is led by Dr. Francine Darroch.

How elite runners train when they’re pregnant

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 21:49:44 +0000

Research on pregnancy, training, and performance outcomes among elite runners led by Dr. Francine Darroch and Dr. Trent Stellingwerff was covered in Outside Magazine. Read the whole article in Outside Magazine.

Challenging the gender binary in sport and development

GABBYGONZALEZMONTAN — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 03:55:40 +0000

This article, written by Julia Ferreira Gomes, Dr. Francine Darroch, Tayler Sinclair, and Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst, calls for sport and development stakeholders to consider how sporting spaces can be reshaped to be inclusive – and better prioritize – the perspectives and needs of all gender identities.

Read the full article