Small Steps Lead to Big Change

LSU Leveraging Innovation for Technology Transfer (LIFT²) Fund

Z!G™, an evidence-based Smartphone app that takes a “whole health” approach, integrating health dimensions aimed at improving the mind, body, thriving, and quality of life every day and for the long term, providing a complete program for all health needs in one multi-dimensional approach.

Based on 20 years of military & civilian science that everyone can use, Z!G is a one-stop shop for body and mind health. Advanced technology creates a tailored user experience and provides a unique experience to meet the needs of each individual user. The goal of this program is not to be perfect, but to be happy and healthy through the optimization of health habits to improve well being.

Z!G contains tools, exercises, and content focused on monitoring and improving users’ nutrition, fitness, sleep, mental health, and resilience, delivered directly to users through their personal smartphone and available to them anytime, anywhere. The new app aims to help users create habits that optimize mental wellness and physical health by building skills for long term well-being and resilience. 

S.C.O.R.E. Program Application

Sport Carried Onward for Resilience & Enrichment

The transition out of sport represents one of the most vulnerable periods in an athlete’s life. When the structure, identity, and support systems of collegiate or elite athletics end, athletes are often left with lingering injuries, compromised physical health, and significant mental health challenges. Without intentional support, many struggle to establish healthy habits in nutrition, exercise, and sleep. The absence of guidance also places athletes at increased risk for serious mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidality—consequences that can persist across the lifespan if left unaddressed. The S.C.O.R.E. (Sport Carried Onward for Resilience & Enrichment) program was developed to address this urgent gap by providing a structured, evidence-based intervention designed specifically to support athletes’ adjustment after sport. Unlike traditional mental health or performance services, which primarily focus on active competition, S.C.O.R.E. represents an innovative model that integrates resilience training, health behavior support, and mental health promotion to prepare athletes for life beyond the playing field. Funded by the Pennington Family Foundation, the development of this program reflects a groundbreaking effort to translate decades of behavioral science into a scalable, athlete-centered solution. The significance of S.C.O.R.E. lies in its potential to redefine how we support athletes at one of the most critical junctures in their lives—transforming post-sport health trajectories, reducing long-term risk, and empowering former athletes to thrive well beyond their competitive years.

The Healthy Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle Training Headquarters (H.E.A.L.T.H.®) program, developed by the Behavior Technology Laboratory, represents one of the longest-standing collaborations between Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the U.S. Department of Defense, now spanning over 18 years. This partnership underscores the critical significance of sustaining Soldier health, combat readiness, and Warfighter performance while also extending support to military families in achieving their overall health and fitness goals. The H.E.A.L.T.H.® program is a first-of-its-kind, technology-driven platform that leverages cutting-edge interactive tools to deliver personalized, portable, and globally accessible health interventions. Through internet and smartphone access, Soldiers and their families can engage with the program regardless of location or deployment status, ensuring continuous support in the face of military demands. Core innovations include customized meal planning, integrated food and activity tracking, personalized fitness programming with a comprehensive workout builder, and remote monitoring capabilities. Beyond physical health, H.E.A.L.T.H.® uniquely incorporates resilience training modules such as stress and anxiety management, mindfulness training, and other psychological skills that are essential for both performance and long-term well-being. Currently implemented as a population-level, fully remote program, H.E.A.L.T.H.® integrates technology-based tailoring, self-report data, and anonymous use to maximize accessibility and reduce barriers to engagement. Its significance lies not only in enhancing Soldier readiness and reducing health risks but also in serving as a model for scalable, technology-enabled resilience and health promotion programs worldwide.

 

To build upon the mission of the Army H.E.A.L.T.H.® initiative, the Army H.E.A.L.T.H.® Intensive program integrates proven, evidence-based tools from three prior PBRC military studies with a new, individualized remote clinical intervention model. This enhanced approach incorporates mobile tracking technologies and devices to monitor physical activity, weight, nutrition, and sleep, providing Soldiers and their families with comprehensive, real-time feedback and tailored support. Tested in a randomized pilot trial funded by TATRC, the Army H.E.A.L.T.H.® Intensive program was designed to help Soldiers meet Army standards for body composition and fitness while also supporting family members in improving nutrition, fitness, and sleep. Its innovation lies in the seamless combination of scalable technology with individualized clinical oversight.

Key program components include:

1. An Internet/smartphone platform for weight management and prevention, developed during prior DoD research.
2. Integrated remote monitoring devices such as smart scales and activity trackers.
3. Personalized weight management and exercise recommendations, dynamically generated from user data and delivered via mobile/web applications without requiring in-person clinic visits.
4. Expanded resilience modules targeting mood, anxiety, stress management, and mindfulness.

The Army H.E.A.L.T.H.® Intensive program can be conceptualized as a remote wellness center, offering intensified clinical monitoring, individualized tailoring, and behavioral prompting to drive goal achievement. Its compatibility with medical and wellness contexts—including primary care, nutrition, and fitness services—positions it as an innovative model for extending high-quality, technology-enabled health and resilience interventions to Soldiers and their families worldwide.

The iOS application incorporated both Army H.E.A.L.T.H^® and Army H.E.A.L.T.H.^® Intensive.

Created by the Behavior Technology Lab, the Pennington Biomedical Diabetes Clinic has a telehealth platform and app to assist patients throughout the program. This platform was modeled on evidence-based military technology and created to overcome barriers associated with healthcare access and scalability. The app includes customized behavioral prompting to aid in real time behavioral decision making. Along with tailored program information, this platform includes behavior tracking, adherence measurement, care management and coordination, video and phone conferencing, and the ability to integrate wearables and health devices.

Sisu & You

A New Health Perspective: The Body Revolution Kids Need

Science tells us that if we don't appreciate our bodies, we don't treat our bodies well. How we view our bodies is a key component of successful health behaviors and significantly affects our quality of life. This workshop series teaches children and adults to keep their bodies healthy through nutrition, fitness, sleep, and body image. The experiences gained through these workshops will reframe the dialogue between kids and adults about healthy bodies, while empowering kids to establish positive behaviors and improve their health for the long-term. This workshop series was a partnership with the Knock Knock Children’s Museum and Mayor Broome’s Healthy Baton Rouge Initiative. The workshop has been deployed at the museum, schools and summer camps throughout Baton Rouge.