Overview

The Girls on the Run Alums Study examines whether the social-emotional and physical life skills girls learn in elementary school are remembered and actively used during middle school.

Longitudinal research of this kind is groundbreaking for the field of youth development, youth sports, and after-school programming. Few physical activity–based programs follow participants years after participation to assess retention and transfer of life skills.

Girls on the Run is one of the only after-school physical activity–based positive youth development programs with rigorous longitudinal evidence of impact.

The Study Included

The initial wave of the Alums Study focused on eighth graders who participated in Girls on the Run as fourth graders in 2019.

Icon 807 survey participants
Icon 52 in-depth interviews
Icon Representation from councils across 41 states and Washington, D.C.

INTRODUCTION

The Alums Study provides rigorous, research-based evidence that our intentional life skills curriculum drives meaningful, long-term impact.

Designed to strengthen the 5Cs of Positive Youth Development — competence, confidence, connection, caring, and character — our program also builds critical social-emotional and physical life skills. Delivered by trained volunteer coaches in a positive and welcoming environment, Girls on the Run produces measurable outcomes that continue to benefit participants through adolescence.

THE GOTR EFFECT

The Alums Study showcases the GOTR Effect: girls develop life skills, strengthen how they see themselves, and learn how to build supportive relationships.

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81%

of alums credited Girls on the Run with their ability to manage emotions.

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89%

of alums said Girls on the Run influenced their ability to set and achieve goals.

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91%

of alums said Girls on the Run helped them resolve conflicts with peers.

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87%

of alums said Girls on the Run helped them make intentional decisions.

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95%

of alums reported that Girls on the Run influenced their ability to appreciate diversity.

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93%

of alums said Girls on the Run strengthened their ability to help others.

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93%

of alums credited Girls on the Run with helping them stand up for others.

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85%

of alums interviewed identified specific skills and strategies they learned in Girls on the Run and still use now.

Coach Impact Graphic
Supportive and caring adults: The coach impact
Caring, trained coaches create emotionally safe environments that girls remember years later.
Physical Activity Graphic
Physical activity: Healthy heart, healthy brain
Alums report using physical activity to manage stress, feel happier, and stay healthy.
GOTR Experience Graphic
Designed with purpose: The GOTR experience
Alums describe Girls on the Run as welcoming, inclusive, and focused on life lessons.
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“Girls on the Run shows you how important it is to stay healthy, go outside, and be active as a person because it doesn’t just help your physical health, it helps work through problems in your head.”
– GOTR Alum
“Girls on the Run affected my life greatly. It taught me self-confidence, accepting others who are different from me, and inspired me to chase my dreams!”
– GOTR Alum
“I remember my coaches being very strong women. They showed me how to be independent, determined, and encouraging to other people. It was such an impact to have a strong female to look up to.”
– GOTR Alum

A Lasting Impact

The findings point to significant long-term impact: life skills learned in elementary school can become tools girls rely on during adolescence.

At a time when research shows many girls experience declines in confidence, physical activity, and overall well-being during middle school, Girls on the Run alums report continued use of skills and strategies for managing emotions, building healthy friendships, and setting goals.

These findings provide strong evidence that intentionally designed, relationship-rich physical activity programs can play a meaningful role in supporting girls during critical developmental transitions.

Girls on the Run Alums Study Impact Graphic

WHAT’S NEXT

Girls on the Run will follow participants in ninth grade, twelfth grade, and one year after high school to better understand the enduring effects of Girls on the Run.

As we look ahead, this research reinforces the importance of expanding access to Girls on the Run — so more girls can build confidence and gain skills that last.

Research Led by
National Experts

The study is led by Dr. Maureen Weiss (University of Minnesota), Dr. Lindsey E. Kipp (Texas State University), and Thelma S. Horn (Miami University).

Dr. Weiss is a nationally recognized scholar in youth development through physical activity. The study was conducted using a longitudinal design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and sampling based on careful inclusion criteria.

Dr. Maureen R. Weiss

"We designed the study to assess the lasting impact of Girls on the Run during critical developmental periods of girls’ lives. Initial findings show middle school alums not only recall skills and strategies they learned, but are applying them in real-life challenges."

— Dr. Maureen Weiss

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