Nancy Williams

Professor and Head of Kinesiology

Nancy Williams

Research Summary

Exercise physiology, effects of alterations in energy balance on reproductive function, neuroendocrinology, metabolism, clinical issues pertaining to womens health and reproductive status.

Huck Affiliations

Links

Most Recent Publications

Body Dissatisfaction is Associated with Low Self-Reported Energy Availability and Reduced Aerobic Fitness but not with Metabolic Alterations in Young, Exercising Women

K Koehler, R Malinson, H Allaway, Nancy Williams, M De Souza,

High Body Dissatisfaction is Associated with Higher BMI, Reduced Aerobic Fitness, Restrained Eating Behavior, and Low Energy Availability in Young

K Koehler, R Malinson, H Allaway, Nancy Williams, M De Souza,

E Lundstrom, Nancy Williams, A Salamunes, H Allaway, M DeSouza, 2025, Eur J Sport Science

Emily A. Lundstrom, Mary Jane De Souza, Kristen J. Koltun, Nicole C.A. Strock, Hannah N. Canil, Nancy I. Williams, 2024, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching on p. 1578-1587

Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study

K Koltun, Strock NCA, Nicole C.A. Strock, C Weaver, H Lee, Nancy I. Williams, C Rogers, J Damani, M Ferruzzi, C Nakatsu, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Osteoporosis International on p. 863-875

Janhavi J. Damani, Ester S. Oh, Mary Jane De Souza, Nicole CA Strock, Nancy I. Williams, Cindy H. Nakatsu, Hang Lee, Connie Weaver, Connie J. Rogers, 2024, Journal of Nutrition on p. 1699-1710

Effects of Prune (Dried Plum) Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women: An Ancillary Analysis of a 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial, The Prune Study

Janhavi J. Damani, Connie Jo Rogers, Hang Lee, Nicole CA Strock, Kristen J. Koltun, Nancy I. Williams, Connie Weaver, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Cindy H. Nakatsu, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Journal of Nutrition on p. 1604-1618

Wearable technology predicts physiological and psychological indicators of health and performance in swimmers

E Lundstrom, MJ De Souza, K Koltun, N Strock, H Canil, Nancy Williams, 2024, Int J Sports Science & Coaching on p. 1578-1587

Interrelationships between stress, eating attitudes, and metabolism in endurance athletes across a competitive season

E Lundstrom, M DeSouza, Mary Jane De Souza, Prabhani Kuruppumullage Don, Prabhani Kuruppumullage Don, N Williams, 2024, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism on p. 1558-1572

Are menstrual disturbances associated with an energy availability threshold? A critical review of the evidence

Ana Carla C. Salamunes, Nancy Williams, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism on p. 584-598

Most-Cited Papers

Richard S. Legro, William C. Dodson, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Jennifer Fleming, Kelly C. Allison, David B. Sarwer, Christos Coutifaris, Anuja Dokras, 2015, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 4048-4058

Nancy I. Williams, Heather J. Leidy, Brenna R. Hill, Jay L. Lieberman, Richard S. Legro, Mary Jane De Souza, 2015, American Journal of Physiology on p. E29-E39

Richard S. Legro, William C. Dodson, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Kelly C. Allison, David B. Sarwer, Michael P. Diamond, William D. Schlaff, Peter R. Casson, Gregory M. Christman, Kurt T. Barnhart, G. Wright Bates, Rebecca Usadi, Scott Lucidi, Valerie Baker, Heping Zhang, Esther Eisenberg, Christos Coutifaris, Anuja Dokras, 2016, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 2658-2666

Anuja Dokras, David B. Sarwer, Kelly C. Allison, Lauren Milman, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Jennifer Fleming, Christos Coutifaris, Richard S. Legro, 2016, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 2966-2974

Jay L. Lieberman, Mary Jane De Souza, David A. Wagstaff, Nancy I. Williams, 2018, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on p. 551-561

The Male Athlete Triad - A Consensus Statement From the Female and Male Athlete Triad Coalition Part 1: Definition and Scientific Basis

Aurelia Nattiv, Mary Jane De Souza, Kristen J. Koltun, Madhusmita Misra, Andrea Kussman, Nancy I. Williams, Michelle T. Barrack, Emily Kraus, Elizabeth Joy, Michael Fredericson, 2021, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine on p. 335-348

J Reed, Mary Jane De Souza, Rebecca J. Mallinson, J Scheid, Nancy I. Williams, 2015, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition on p. 11

Michael Fredericson, Andrea Kussman, Madhusmita Misra, Michelle T. Barrack, Mary Jane De Souza, Emily Kraus, Kristen J. Koltun, Nancy I. Williams, Elizabeth Joy, Aurelia Nattiv, 2021, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine on p. 349-366

Unique effects of energy versus estrogen deficiency on multiple components of bone strength in exercising women

E. A. Southmayd, R. J. Mallinson, N. I. Williams, D. J. Mallinson, M. J. De Souza, 2017, Osteoporosis International on p. 1365-1376

News Articles Featuring Nancy Williams

Energy deficiency's impact on women’s health and sport topic of upcoming lecture

Nancy Williams, professor of kinesiology and physiology, received the 2024 Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award and will present “Energy Deficiency in Sport: Impacts on Health and Performance in Exercising Women," on Wednesday, April 2.

Can Ozempic Make You A Better Runner?

Popular weight-loss drugs are helping some runners lose weight and crush PRs. Here's what experts think.

Sport-related stress may affect whether college athletes eat enough calories

High stress resulting from participating in high-level collegiate sports is related to unhealthy attitudes about eating and under consumption of nutrients, but only during the most stressful portions of the athletes’ seasons, according to a new study led by researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology.

Got prunes? Prunes may preserve bone density and strength in older women

Dairy isn’t the only food that’s good for bone health. Prunes may also protect bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. The findings, published in Osteoporosis International, suggest that daily prune consumption slows the progression of age-related bone loss and reduces the risk of fracture.

Penn State CTSI announces seven Bridges to Translation pilot funding recipients

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute is helping to generate innovative health research ideas and promote collaboration through the awarding of pilot grants in its "Bridges to Translation" program.

Prunes may help prevent bone loss and preserve bone strength

In the United States, about 10 million adults over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, with women four times more likely than men to experience the condition, according to prior research.