The Future is Female: A framework to design female physiology research

Abstract

Despite females representing 50% of the human population, there is a lack of research in female physiology including exercise physiology. Factors that are unique to females such as the menstrual cycle, contraceptive use or menopause, may be perceived as barriers for the inclusion of female cohorts. Researchers need to understand the interplay between the female biological and physiological systems and the interaction between their chosen outcomes. The strategies below can be employed to ensure researchers account for potentially confounding variables in female exercise physiology research.