Male Sport Research Articles

A 1-Minute Re-warm Up at High-Intensity Improves Sprint Performance During the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test.

Although a 3- to 7-min re-warm up (RW) elicits performance and physiological benefits after half-time (HT), a time-efficient and feasible RW protocol is required for the use of an RW in the athletic setting. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 1-min RW at high-intensity on the performance and physiological responses during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). In a randomized and counterbalanced cross-over design, 12 male amateur intermittent team sports players (soccer, basketball, handball, and lacrosse; age, 22 ± 2 years; height, 1.70 ± 0.08 m; body mass, 65.1 ± 8.3 kg; body mass index, 22.4 ± 1.9 kg m−2; VO2max, 53.5 ± 4.5 ml kg−1 min−1) performed the LIST. The LIST comprised two 45-min halves separated by a 15-min HT. Each half comprised repetitions of exercise cycles consisting of 3 × 20-m walking, 1 × 20-m maximal sprint, 3 × 20-m jogging, and 3 × 20-m running. During the HT, the participants were assigned to a control trial (CON; 15-min seated rest) or an RW trial (1-min running at 90% of the maximal oxygen uptake after a 14-min seated rest). Compared to the CON, the RW prevents reductions in sprint performance at the fourth and sixth periods of the LIST (fourth: 2.4%, p = 0.002, d = 1.68, sixth: 3.6%, p = 0.012, d = 1.74) and a decrement of gastrointestinal temperature during HT (0.5°C, p = 0.010, d = 1.41). Moreover, the RW decreased the electromyogram amplitude of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) after HT (12%, p = 0.017, d = 1.12) without a decrease of maximal voluntary contraction force, suggesting an increased neuromuscular efficiency (9%, p = 0.048, d = 0.58). The RW also increased the mean heart rate in the initial part of the second half (4 bpm, p = 0.016, d = 0.38). In conclusion, the RW improved sprint performance, core temperature, muscle activation, and heart rate in the second half of the LIST. The findings suggest that the RW should be recommended for intermittent team sports players when longer RWs are not possible.

“How Can They Like Doing That?” The Ambivalent Definition of Legitimate Work in Sports Journalism

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the opposing definitions of legitimate journalism between female and male sports reporters in the Swiss daily press, observable through the tensions in the division of work, task hierarchies, and contradictory definitions of what is perceived as distasteful or undesirable. It aims to adopt an inclusive approach that avoids being judgemental towards male perspectives or adopting a cynical view of female journalists, to better understand both male and female journalists’ experiences of interaction of work and professional recognition, and identify obstacles to greater gender equality in sports journalism. The analysis relies on the notion of “dirty work” developed by Hughes and Bourdieu’s theory of field and habitus that offers a new way to investigate the links between tasks, roles, moral divisions, and power relations. Our detailed observations and 25 semi-structured interviews conducted with female and male sports journalists revealed the co-existence of two opposed professional styles. Overall, the men control the prestigious tasks and the doxa of this speciality. The women interviewed spoke of resisting, adapting, and finding satisfaction with the work that their male colleagues consider distasteful, as while their work is recognised by their superiors and non-sports colleagues as noble in general journalistic norms.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in university athletes

BackgroundBioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is able to identify differences in hydration status and body composition components, such as body cell mass (BCM) by means of plotting individuals in ellipses, when comparing groups with different characteristics.ObjectiveCompare the confidence and tolerance ellipses of BIVA in individual and team sports athletes with a non-athlete reference population.Design and participantsOne hundred sixty-seven college athletes (team sports: 117 athletes, individual sports: 50 athletes) aged between 18 and 35 years. Bioelectrical impedance was used to measure resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) values that were used in the BIVA analysis to identify hydration status and BCM, respectively. Hotelling’s t-test was used to identify differences between groups in the confidence ellipses and the comparison was made with a non-athlete Italian reference population.ResultsThere were no differences between male team sports and individual athletes (p = 0.151) and for female athletes (p = 0.624). Most athletes were located in the 50% tolerance ellipses, indicating adequate hydration. Compared to the Italian a non-athlete population, athletes of both sexes presented left impedance vector deviation in the minor axis (Xc) of the tolerance ellipses, indicating higher BCM.ConclusionThere were no differences in BIVA between team and individual sports athletes, but most athletes presented an adequate hydration state and, compared to a non-athlete population, the athletes of the present study presented higher BCM.

Associated factors of ECG abnormalities in black athletes at Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo)

To determine the associated factors of ECG abnormalities in athletes at Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo). This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2019 at the sport medical center of Alphonse Massamba-Débat stadium in Brazzaville. Included athletes were affiliated with national federations of disciplines recognized by the National Olympic Committee, aged from 12 to 35 years old, and have received a clinical examination and a resting ECG. A total of 436 athletes were involved, including 334 males (76.6%). The mean age was 21.9 ± 5.1 years (range 12 and 35 years). The sports concerned were: handball ( n = 137), football ( n = 94), taekwondo ( n = 57), basketball ( n = 54). The average weekly training duration was 8.6 ± 2.6 hours. The average duration of sports practice was 5.5 ± 4.5 years. ECG showed abnormalities in 382 athletes (87.6%), including 56.2% physiological abnormalities, 7.8% borderline abnormalities and 23.6% pathological abnormalities. In the multivariate analysis, associated factors with the abnormalities were male sex (adjusted OR 4.4, 95%CI 2.3-8.6, p < 0.001) and endurance sport, in particular: football (adjusted OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-11.7, P = 0.03), marathon (adjusted OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.4-14.7, P = 0.02) and volleyball (adjusted OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.7-3.3, P = 0.04). The study reports many ECG abnormalities among athletes in Brazzaville. These abnormalities should be explored by cardiac ultrasound and other methods of exploring heart, to identify athletes at risk of sudden death.

Results of meniscus repair over menisectomy in bucket handle tear of medial meniscus: Study of 30 cases

Background and Aim: Meniscus plays an important role in the knee, and thus, is being an important research topic for years. There are three different methods available for the treatment of Bucket handle meniscal tears, which are meniscectomy, meniscal repair with or without the uses of augmentation technique and the meniscal reconstruction. The aim of the research paper is to compare the results of meniscus repair over meniscectomy in bucket handle tear of medial meniscus. Materials and methods: It was a retrospective review of the prospectively collected data between January 2015 and December 2016 on the patients having bucket handle tear of medial meniscus, undergoing the ACL reconstruction. For this study, 30 patients were selected on the basis of the exclusion and inclusion criteria, who were equally distributed in Group A (Meniscus repair) and Group B (Menisectomy). Results: In the present study it is found that the mean age of the patient was 25.38years, majority of the patients were male participants and sports injury is found to be the major reason for the meniscal tear. Further, there is no significant difference in the mean of tunnel diameter, Lachman test, overall grades and radiographic grades between Group A and Group B. Conclusion: The study concluded that the results of the tunnel widening were found to be higher when the patient is treated with meniscectomy, and the results of Lachman test shows that meniscal repair is effective. On comparing the after results of both the meniscal repair and meniscectomy with the help of applying the radiological analysing, it is being found that meniscal repair offers better outcomes as compared to the meniscectomy.

Relationship between selected psychological variables among trainees of combat sports

The study was conducted with a motive for the analysis of relationship between selected psychological variables among trainees of combat sports. Three psychological variables were selected for the study i.e. Aggression, Sports Competition Anxiety and Sports Achievement Motivation to analyze the correlation between Motivation with Anxiety and Aggression with Anxiety among combat sports-persons from Boxing, Wrestling and Judo discipline from trainees of Diploma course NSNIS Patiala. For the purpose of this study, 36 elite male sports- persons whose mean and standard deviation of age was 28.72±3.49 from those three sports discipline, 12 from each sport were randomly selected. For measuring the aggression, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) developed by Buss and Perry in 1992, for sports competition anxiety, Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) developed by Rainer Martens in 1977 and for sports achievement motivation, Sports Achievement Motivation Test (SAMT) developed by M.L. Kamlesh in 1990 were introduced respectively. For the interpretation of data and statistical analysis, Descriptive Statistics and Pearson Product-moment correlation coefficient were conducted. At 0.05, the level of significance had been taken. From the study it was found that there was a significant negative correlation of sports achievement motivation with sports competition anxiety among trainees of combat sports. For aggression with sports competition anxiety, the relationship was found insignificant along with a negative correlation among the selected combat sports- persons.

Masculine or Metrosexual##x003F; The Critical Perspectives on the Media Display of Male Athletes

The critical feminist perspective provides understanding of the female-centered viewpoint to explore the media display of male athletes. By understanding the different gender perspectives on the media display, this study explores how female athletes interpret the media images of male sports celebrities in the mainstream magazines. This study further investigates the gendered sexualization in the media representation of athletes. A photo interviewing with sixteen female athletes conducted to explore the male athletes’ media display in the men’s lifestyle magazines. Findings suggest that three different men’s lifestyle magazines represent different forms of masculinities depend on the purpose and target audiences, although hegemonic masculinity is woven throughout all magazines. Female athletes immediately recognized the differences in the sexualization of male bodies by comparing with female athletes in a similar type of magazines such as Fitness and ESPN The magazine’s body issue. This study provided rich insights into how female athletes think about different types of masculinities and the gendered sexualization in a similar type of media outlet.

Can Neurocognitive Function Predict Lower Extremity Injuries in Male Collegiate Athletes?

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate whether neurocognitive evaluation can confirm the association between neurocognitive level and postural control and to analyze the relationship between neurocognitive level and acute musculoskeletal injury in male non-net sports athletes. Seventy-seven male non-net sports athletes participated in this study. The Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) were used for testing; we collected data related to injury history for six months after testing. Pearson’s correlation analysis, logistic regression, and the independent sample t-test were used for statistical analysis. The correlation between SAC and SEBT results was weak to moderate (p < 0.05). Eleven of the seventy-seven participants experienced acute lower limb injuries. SAC, LESS, BESS, and SEBT results have no effect on the occurrence of acute lower extremity injuries (p > 0.05) and were not statistically different between the injured and non-injured groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, using the SAC score alone to determine the risk factor of lower extremity injuries, except in the use of assessment after a concussion, should be cautioned against.

Body temperature and physical performance responses are not maintained at the time of pitch-entry when typical substitute-specific match-day practices are adopted before simulated soccer match-play

ObjectivesTo profile performance and physiological responses to typical patterns of match-day activity for second-half soccer substitutes. DesignDescriptive. MethodsFollowing a warm-up, 13 male team sports players underwent ∼85min of rest, punctuated with five min rewarm-ups at ∼25, ∼50, and ∼70min, before ∼30min of simulated soccer match-play. Countermovement jump performance (jump height, peak power output), alongside 15m sprints, were assessed post-warm-up, and pre- and post-simulated match-play. Core temperature, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, and blood glucose and lactate concentrations were measured throughout. ResultsWarm-up-induced core temperature elevations (∼2.3%, +0.85°C; p<0.001) were maintained until after the first rewarm-up. Thereafter, core temperature was reduced from post-warm-up values until pre-simulated match-play (∼1.6%, −0.60°C; p<0.001), where values were similar to pre-warm-up (37.07±0.24°C, p=0.981). Simulated match-play increased core temperature progressively (p≤0.05) but values remained lower than post-warm-up (∼5min; p=0.002) until ∼10min into exercise. From post-warm-up to pre-simulated match-play, sprint times (∼3.9%, +0.10s, p=0.003), jump height (∼9.4%, −3.1cm; p=0.017), and peak power output (∼7.2%, −296W; p<0.001) worsened. Despite increased ratings of perceived exertion and elevated blood lactate concentrations (p≤0.05), sprint times were maintained throughout exercise, whereas peak power increased (∼7.8%, +294W; p=0.006) pre- to post-exercise. ConclusionsAt the point of simulated pitch-entry, body temperature and physical performance responses were not maintained from warm-up cessation despite typical substitute-specific match-day practices being employed in thermoneutral conditions. Evidence of performance-limiting fatigue was absent during ∼30min of simulated match-play. These data question the efficacy of practices typically implemented by substitutes before pitch-entry.

Youth identity formation: (Mis)alignment between urban male youth and sport coaches

A critical process of healthy youth development is the formation of a positive sense of identity. An individual’s holistic identity is comprised of a variety of differing identities related their social group membership. Due to systemic racism and false stereotypes, urban youth – specifically African American/Black youth – are socially vulnerable and at-risk for the development of negative self-identities. Furthering this disparity, the mechanisms that contribute to the formation of youth identity are not well understood. The current study explored the mechanisms, from multiple perspectives, that contribute to youth identity formation across multiple domains. The study took place at a faith-based youth sport program designed for urban male youth, which used sport activities to facilitate conversations about faith and teach principles of healthy masculinity. In total, 14 youth and 10 coaches engaged in the study through individual semi-structured interviews. The majority of youth and coaches self-identified as Black/African American. Through two separate thematic analyses, findings demonstrate mechanisms that enhance or conflict with youth identity formation related to the domains of race/culture, faith, masculinity, and athletics. Further, areas of (mis)alignment between youth and coaches were recognized. For example, regarding race/culture, youth and coaches discussed the importance of popular culture and the negative influence of stereotypes. However, related to masculinity, youth discussed the positive influence of male family members, while coaches believed that the lack of male role models inhibited healthy masculinity. Using these findings, programs can be designed and facilitated to leverage positive mechanisms while mitigating negative factors that contribute to youth identity.

Differences in force production and EMG activity on underwater and dry land conditions in swimmers and non-swimmers

ABSTRACT This research aims to provide a better understanding of the swimming push-off specificity comparing force production and electromyographic (EMG) activity on squat-jumps (SJ) and countermovement-jumps (CMJ) performed underwater (similar to swimming turns push-off) and dryland conditions on two different level of expertise participants (swimmers and non-swimmers). Thirteen male swimmers and nine non-trained male sport sciences students participated in this study. Each subject carried out 10 CMJ and 10 SJ jumps in dryland (vertical) and underwater (horizontal). During these trials, force production was recorded by force platforms and muscular activity of Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, Gastrocnemius Medialis and Tibialis Anterior was analysed through EMG. A three-way ANOVA showed that swimmers increased the differences in values obtained from SJ to CMJ between dry and underwater conditions during the first impulse phase—Impulse 1 (p < 0.01), the second phase of impulse—Impulse 2 (p < 0.001) and duration from peak force to take off (p < 0.001) in contrast to non-swimmers. Patterns relating to force production and EMG were non-consistent between muscles. Jumping performance was not significantly correlated between dry land and underwater conditions; nevertheless, results emphasise that environmental constraints are decisive to define the neuro-motor response to apparently similar tasks performed in different contexts.

Relationships between attitudes and norms with homophobic language use in male team sports

ObjectivesThis study addresses a need for quantitative research examining factors supporting the frequent use of homophobic language (e.g., fag) in male team sports which has a range of negative health impacts on gay and bisexual males. Intervention methods are needed to stop this behaviour, but little is known about why this language remains common. DesignCross-Sectional survey. MethodMale Rugby Union (n=97; ages 16 -18 years) and Ice Hockey players (n=146; ages 16 - 31 years) self-reported their use of homophobic language and completed measures of homophobic attitudes and descriptive and injunctive norms related to language use on their team. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined factors associated with this behaviour. ResultsOver half of participants (53.8%) self-reported using homophobic language at least once in the previous two weeks. No relationship was found between homophobic attitudes and language use. In contrast, norm measures had a strong, positive relationship with this behaviour. In multivariate analyses, norms uniquely accounted for almost one-half of the variance in language use. The addition of descriptive norms into the full model led to the largest increase in R2 of .340 (F(1,200)=130.816, p<.001). ConclusionsHomophobic language use was related to norms, rather than homophobic attitudes. Interventions targeting changes to these norms could be an effective method to change this behaviour. This finding contributes to a growing body of evidence that norms are associated with a range of negative behaviours by male athletes.

Low Body Fat Does Not Influence Recovery after Muscle-Damaging Lower-Limb Plyometrics in Young Male Team Sport Athletes.

Aim: This study assessed the influence of fat mass to fat-free mass ratio (FM:FFM) on recovery from plyometric exercise. Method: After assessment of body composition, 20 male team sport players (age 20.7 ± 1.1 years; body mass 77.1 ± 11.5 kg) were divided into low- (n = 10; 0.11 ± 0.03) and normal- (n = 10; 0.27 ± 0.09) fat groups based on FM:FFM ratio. Thereafter, participants completed measurements of knee extensor torque at 60 and 240°∙s−1, countermovement jump flight time, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and perceived muscle soreness (VAS) before and at 0, 24 and 48 h after 10 × 10 maximal plyometric vertical jumps. Results: Evidence of muscle damage was confirmed by alterations in VAS, peak torque at 60 and 240°∙s−1 and flight time at 0, 24 and 48 h after plyometric exercise (P < 0.05). CK was increased at 0 and 24 h (P < 0.05) but returned to baseline values by 48 h. No time by group effects were observed for any of the dependent variables (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The current findings indicate that while muscle damage was present after plyometric exercise, the magnitude was similar across the two body composition groups. Applied practitioners can allow for a similar recovery time after plyometric exercise in those with low and normal body fat.

The Eternally Wounded Athlete: How Medical Professionals and Sports Injury Researchers Have Limited Female Athletes’ Sport Participation and Biased the Interpretation of Sports Injury Research

Female sports participation has long been diminished compared to male sports participation. This review contextualizes current findings in historical implicit gender bias. The transition from the recognition of the Female Athlete Triad Syndrome to the Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport Syndrome (RED-S Syndrome) to the newly proposed Male Athlete Triad Syndrome demonstrates the power of implicit gender bias on sports injury research efforts, clinical practices, and policy decisions. Similarly, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have long been portrayed as a young female athlete injury, a perception which has affected the sports medicine world in a way that has resulted in both male and female athletes not fully benefitting from possible research and clinical advances. This review explores the history of female exclusion from sport and considers how modern sport and exercise medicine has, perhaps because of implicit gender biases, inadvertently contributed to that exclusion.

The Effects of Heat Exposure During Intermittent Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Performance Among Team Sport Athletes.

This study investigated the effects of heat exposure on physical and cognitive performance during an intermittent exercise protocol so as to reflect the incremental fatigue experienced during team sports. Twelve well-trained male team sport players completed an 80-minute cycling intermittent sprint protocol (CISP), alongside computerized vigilance and congruent (i.e., simple) and incongruent (i.e., complex) Stroop tasks of cognitive functioning, in two counterbalanced temperature conditions; hot (32°C[50%rh]) and control (18°C[50%rh]). Incongruent Stroop accuracy declined over time (p = .002), specifically in the second (Mdiff = –3.75, SD = 0.90%, p = .009) and third (Mdiff = –4.58, SD = 1.22%, p = .019) quarters compared to the first quarter of the CISP; but there were no differences between temperature conditions. Congruent Stroop reaction time (RT) was quicker in the second quarter of exercise in the hot condition (M = 561.99, SD = 112.93 ms) compared to the control condition (M=617.80, SD = 139.71 ms; p = .022), but no differences were found for congruent Stroop accuracy nor vigilance measures. Additionally, peak power output was lower during the third quarter of the CISP in the hot condition (M = 861.31, SD = 105.20 W) compared to the control condition (M = 900.68, SD = 114.84 W; p < .001). Plasma normetanephrine and metanephrine concentrations increased from pre- to post-CISP (Mdiff = +616.90, SD = 306.99, p < .001; and Mdiff = +151.23, SD = 130.32, p = .002, respectively), with a marginal interaction suggesting a higher normetanephrine increase from pre- to post-CISP in the hot versus the control condition (p = .070). Our findings suggest that accuracy for more complex decisions suffered during prolonged high-intensity intermittent exercise, perhaps due to exercise-induced catecholamine increases. Athletes may have also reduced physical effort under increased heat exposure, indicating how cognitive performance may be sustained in physically demanding environments.

Validity and reliability of a flywheel squat test in sport

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the flywheel (FW)-squat test. Twenty male amateur team sports athletes (mean±SD: age 23±3 years) completed one familiarization session and two testing sessions including: FW-squat test with an inertial load of 0.061 kg.m2, standing long jump (SLJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and 5-m change of direction (COD-5m) tests, and isokinetic strength assessments of the knee extensor and flexor muscles. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) of data collected. Construct validity was determined as the degree of relationships between the FW-squat test outputs and both athletic tests and isokinetic assessments scores computed with Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Excellent relative (ICC=0.94–0.95) and acceptable absolute (CV=5.9%-6.8%) reliability scores were found for both concentric and eccentric power outputs collected during the FW-squat test. The same outputs showed moderate to large positive correlations with concentric and eccentric knee extensor and flexor muscle peak force values (r range: 0.465–0.566) measured during the isokinetic test. The FW-squat test is a valid and reliable test to assess lower limb performance given its correlation with isokinetic test, as well as its excellent relative and acceptable absolute reliability.

‘Everything is said with a smile’: Homonegative speech acts in sport

The acceptance of gay males in sport is growing in various western countries. However, research also suggests that young males, including athletes, tend to engage in homonegative speech acts, often called microaggressions, that make it difficult for them to navigate practices of masculinity. We used solicited diaries or diary logs written by (non-)heterosexual young male team sport athletes (aged 16–25) to investigate how they experienced and heard expressions of homonegative and heteronormative microaggressive speech acts. We drew on Foucault’s notion of discourse, Butler’s conceptualization of performativity of heteronormativity and Sue’s work on microaggressions to examine how microaggressive speech acts by young male athletes reflect current sexual and gender cultural norms. The results revealed how homonegative speech acts were embedded in a gay aesthetic and abject femininity and used to endorse a desirable heteronormative masculinity. We concluded that homonegative microaggressive speech acts contribute to the preservation of discursive heteronormativity in sport despite growing acceptance of non-heterosexual male athletes.

A balancing act: women players in a new semi-Professional team sport league

ABSTRACT Research question: Women commencing semi-professional careers in traditionally male team sports face unique opportunities and challenges. This study aimed to understand player's personal, organisational and societal barriers and supportive practices in their inaugural season as a semi-professional. Research methods: Players (N=46) contracted for the 2019 National Rugby League Women’s Premiership (Australia and New Zealand) completed an on-line questionnaire about the new league at the end of the first playing season. Additionally, players, coaches, and managers/executives (N = 22) were interviewed about this newly constituted career pathway and the ‘professionalisation’ of the women’s game. Results and findings: Data gathered were interrogated using an ecological-intersectional schema. Players were highly motivated intrinsically and strongly supported in their interpersonal environments. While the introduction of player payments was accompanied by increased expectations of the employing clubs; the level of remuneration was not viewed as sufficiently recompensing players for associated training, travel, playing and community commitments. Players with childcare responsibilities faced distinct barriers, with organisational policies yet to account for the distinct needs of this significant demographic cohort. Implications: In the first season adoption of existing, traditionally male-based, organisational norms and practices acted to legitimise the new women’s competition, but also placed considerable stress on players. Most of the players had two or more employment commitments simultaneously yet had limited job security. Policies and practices with the greatest positive impact for the women players included: child-care provision, development of an inclusive team and club culture, and providing coaching, training and support specifically tailored to meet women’s needs.

The Gender of Sports News: Horizontal Segregation and Marginalization of Female Journalists in the Swiss Press

This study analyzes the allocation of sport news among female and male journalists in the francophone Swiss daily press. Relying on both quantitative content analysis and qualitative data collected through interviews with female and male sports journalists, it identifies a horizontal segregation within sports newsrooms. An overwhelmingly greater number of male journalists cover the most prestigious subjects and produce greater numbers of technical match reports, taking on what are considered to be the “hardest” news stories. Women are restricted to covering less prestigious sports, women’s sports, and tend to be allocated “soft” stories to report. This article undertakes an in-depth discussion of the gendered nature of this task allocation, exploring the way it affects female and male journalists’ careers.

NFL fans' identity and consumption behavior by gender

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore male and female sports fandom through examining the prototype of a loyal National Football League (NFL) fan.Design/methodology/approachEighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with male and female participants who self-identified as NFL fans from the Midwest and Northeast regions of the US. Data were analyzed using open coding.FindingsBoth female and male participants identified three common criteria for being a prototypical NFL fan: loyalty, knowledge and wearing of team apparel. The findings also demonstrated gender differences in both how a fan identifies a prototypical fan and how that dictates fan identity, attitudes and behavior. Additionally, prototypical fandom might need to be defined differently for males and females.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by exploring the perspectives of both genders of NFL fans and by providing a more balanced perspective of how males and females define prototypical fans and how each gender perceives the fan behavior of the opposite sex.