WOMEN'S POWER [ALT2030-FEDER-02660000]
Promoting and empowering healthy and active lifestyles of women across the life cycle
PI
Rita Santos-Rocha (ESDRM / SPRINT)
Research team
• Alfredo Silva (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Cristiana Mercê (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Fátima Ramalho (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Hélia Dias (ESSS / RISE-Health)
• M.ª Conceição Santiago (ESSS / RISE-Health)
• Vera Simões (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Susana Alves (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Marco Branco (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Marta Rosa (ESSS / RISE-Health)
Other researchers
• M.ª Otilía Zangão (UÉvora / CHCR)
• Pedro Duarte Mendes (UPCB / SPRINT)
• Sandra Silva-Santos (UTPorto / SPRINT)
• Vânia Loureiro (UPBeja / SPRINT)
Doctoral students
• Adelaide Pinto (UTAD / SPRINT)
• Cristina Portela (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Joana Prior de Freitas (UBI / SPRINT)
• Laura Massa Alves (ESDRM / SPRINT)
• Mónica Godinho de Sousa (UÉvora / SPRINT)
• Susana Delgadinho (UÉvora / CHCR)
Summary
Background
Active and healthy lifestyles (AHLs) are global public health priorities. Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle across life—from menarche, reproductive age, pregnancy, and postpartum, to menopause—brings multiple long-term, sex-specific health benefits for girls, women, and offspring.
Objectives
The general objective of this project is to promote active and healthy lifestyles (AHLs) throughout the female-specific life cycle by developing and implementing innovative, evidence-based, socially inclusive, and digital resources to empower girls and women, as well as healthcare and exercise professionals.
Specific objectives include:
1. Mapping — characterizing the prevalence and determinants of AHLs across the female-specific life cycle (from menarche to midlife, pregnancy to postpartum, and midlife to menopause) in the Alentejo region (Portugal);
2. Resources — identifying preferences, usability, barriers, and enablers regarding access to and use of e-health (digital health) resources and educational programs;
3. Programs — promoting and implementing community-based social prescribing programs.
Main Methods
1. Qualitative and Cross-Sectional Studies: Evaluation of behaviors, determinants, and needs associated with AHLs.
2. Educational Resources and Website: Co-creation and development of a dedicated website and educational materials on AHLs for girls and women, tailored to their preferences and needs.
3. Multidisciplinary Training Program: Creation of pedagogical resources and training workshops for healthcare and exercise professionals (Women’s Power multidisciplinary lifelong learning program).
4. Mobile Application: Development of a smart, intuitive, interactive, and self-monitoring app tailored to the preferences and needs of end users.
5. Community Programs: Promotion and implementation of community-based social prescribing programs.
Expected Results
Expected results include evidence-based publications and educational resources; development of efficient strategies and programs; driving the development of personal devices used for AHL self-management; increasing individual awareness and empowering healthcare and exercise professionals; and advancing research and knowledge in this field.
The project's outcomes will support decision-making and optimize the delivery of multidisciplinary educational and healthcare services across economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable settings.
Women’s Power
Promoting and empowering healthy and active lifestyles of women across the life cycle
PI
Rita Santos-Rocha
Santarém Polytechnic University - ESDRM Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior & SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Portugal
Funding: Alentejo 2030 [ALT2030-FEDER-02660000]
Total: 417.030,65 €
Beneficiary
Santarém Polytechnic University
Scientific Domain: Medical and Health Sciences
Scientific Area: Health Sciences
Scientific Subarea: Sports Sciences
Start Date: 01/09/2026
Duration: 24 months
Keywords: Women; Health; Lifestyle; Physical activity; Exercise; Sport; Menarche; Reproductive age; Pregnancy; Postpartum; Menopause
Sustainable Development Goals
The objectives of the WOMEN’S POWER project are aligned with the following United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals:
• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: i.e., ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages;
• SDG 4 – Quality Education: i.e., ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all;
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: i.e., enhancing the use of technology and promoting the empowerment of women;
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: i.e., reducing inequality within and among countries by ensuring social and economic inclusion, as well as equitable access to healthcare and educational resources;
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: i.e., making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by promoting community-based programs and healthy lifestyles in public spaces; and
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: i.e., strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development through multidisciplinary collaboration across healthcare, exercise, academic, and community sectors.
