BarBend Inc. — the holding company of hallmark strength training & sports websites BarBend.com and BreakingMuscle.com — has awarded its first-annual research grant to a group from Saint Louis University and Immaculata University.
As a leader in strength training and nutritional content, BarBend launched its grant program in late 2021 to “emphasize evidence-based recommendations [and] focus on an under-represented sector of strength training.” Applications were accepted on a rolling basis starting in December 2021.
The Saint Louis University groups’ application that was ultimately awarded a grant is titled The TRANSforming Power of Strength Sports and Nutrition. BarBend’s staff, including members of the editorial team, assessed applications and weighed submissions based on a variety of factors including potential research impact impact, detail in methodology, and academic rigor.
In their application, research lead Whitney Linsenmeyer, PhD, RD, LD wrote: “Our proposed project addresses a twofold problem: strength training and nutrition guidance tailored to the unique considerations of transgender athletes is lacking, and sport culture is not often trans-inclusive.”
“Therefore, the goals of our proposed project are to 1) magnify the voices of transgender and gender diverse athletes regarding their experiences with strength sports and exercise, and 2) disseminate nutrition and strength training guidance tailored to the unique considerations of the transgender community.”
After being informed of their successful application and grant award of $5,000, Linsenmeyer relayed the following to BarBend.
“The BarBend grant is advancing research on strength sports and nutrition for the transgender community. We see a twofold problem, where strength training and nutrition guidance is lacking, and sport culture is not often trans-inclusive. With this project, we seek to magnify the voices of the transgender and gender diverse athletes regarding their experiences with strength sports and exercise, and disseminate nutrition and strength training guidance tailored to the unique considerations of the trans community. BarBend’s support of this effort is especially critical when legislation to exclude trans athletes from sports is rapidly progressing across the country.”
BarBend looks forward to continuing to support research in the strength training space, and the company plans on keeping grant applications open for the foreseeable future.