Women Athletes Research Articles

“I always just viewed it as part of sport”: Psychological maltreatment and conformity to the sport ethic

Sport environments have the potential to be advantageous to one’s development and well-being; however, they are also plagued with the normalization of excessive pressures and extreme expectations that can enhance athletes’ susceptibility to experiencing harm, especially psychological maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore athletes’ experiences of conforming to the sport ethic and experiences of psychological maltreatment in sport. Semi-structured interviews were completed with thirteen retired, competitive, women athletes. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Findings demonstrate that the sport ethic influences the vulnerability of athletes to experiencing psychological maltreatment and athletes’ experiences of psychological maltreatment influence their conformity to the sport ethic. The desire to please is identified as central to this nexus between conformity and experiences of psychological maltreatment. The paper concludes with applied recommendations for sport psychology practitioners.

Bidirectional temporal and frame-segment attention for sparse action segmentation of figure skating

Temporal action segmentation is a task for understanding human activities in long-term videos. Most of the efforts have been focused on dense-frame action, which relies on strong correlations between frames. However, in the figure skating scene, technical actions are sparsely shown in the video. This brings new challenges: a large amount of redundant temporal information leads to weak frame correlation. To end this, we propose a Bidirectional Temporal and Frame-Segment Attention Module (FSAM). Specifically, we propose an additional reverse-temporal input stream to enhance frame correlation, learned by fusing bidirectional temporal features. In addition, the proposed FSAM contains a Multi-stage segment-aware GCN and decoder interaction module, aiming to learn the correlation between segment features across time domains and integrate embeddings between frame and segment representations. To evaluate our approach, we propose the Figure Skating Sparse Action Segmentation (FSSAS) dataset: The dataset comprises 100 samples of the Olympic figure skating final and semi-final competition, with more than 50 different men and women athletes. Extensive experiments show that our method achieves an accuracy of 87.75 and an edit score of 90.18 on the FSSAS dataset.

On the justification for World Rugby’s ban on trans women: assessing key arguments in the debate

ABSTRACT This paper examines the philosophical justification for World Rugby’s ban of trans women athletes from the ‘Women’s’ category at elite level. It is argued that Pike’s lexical priority argument in support of this ban is flawed; that Burke’s partially concessive response to Pike leads Burke to endorse an incoherent position; and that by rejecting Pike’s lexical priority argument, Burke’s view can both be made consistent and can be defended against the two criticisms levelled to it by Imbrišević. A stronger justification for WR’s ban is identified and discussed, and a diagnosis for the debate’s intractability is proposed.

Repeated Sprint Variations According to Circadian Rhythm at Different Menstrual Cycle Phases.

This study assessed the repeated sprint performance in relation to circadian rhythm during different menstrual cycle phases (MCP). Twelve volunteer eumenorrheic women team sport athletes performed 5×6-s cycling sprints in morning (9 am to 10 am) and evening (6 pm to 7 pm) sessions during the mid-follicular (FP, 6th-10th d) and luteal phases (LP, 19th-24th d). Body weight, oral body temperature, resting heart rate and lactate levels together with estradiol, progesterone and cortisol levels were determined before tests. Relative peak and mean power and performance decrements were determined as performance variables and maximum heart rate, lactate and ratings of perceived exertion were determined as physiological variables. Evening body temperatures were significantly higher. Cortisol levels were higher in the morning and in the FP. Resting lactate levels did not vary with MCP or time of day, but a significant MCP x time of day interaction was observed. Body weight showed no change according to time of day and MCP. There was no significant effect of MCP and time of day on performance and physiological variables, in contrast, maximum lactate values were notably higher in the evening. In conclusion, MCP and time of day need not be considered during repeated sprint exercises of eumenorrheic women athletes.

Evaluation of the quality of life and the incidence of stress urinary incontinence in nulliparous women training selected sports: a cross-sectional survey pilot study

IntroductionThe number of women suffering from urinary incontinence is increasing every year. The most common type of this condition is stress urinary incontinence. Involuntary leakage of urine occurs when sneezing, coughing, laughing, and standing up, as well as during physical activity. The problem of urinary incontinence is very embarrassing for athletes and affects their sports performance. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of urinary incontinence symptoms in women regularly training in selected sports.Methods64 women athletes were selected for the study. This pilot study involved women training in athletics (short-distance running, long-distance running, hurdles and jumping (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault), basketball, volleyball, or strength sports). Women were selected based on sample size calculation from those training in specified clubs. Women who had given birth were excluded from the study. The subjects completed a proprietary questionnaire consisting of 8 questions. They also completed the Urinary Distress Inventory, Short Form (UDI-6SF) questionnaire and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ-7).ResultsIn this study, 43% of women who trained had symptoms of urinary incontinence. Regression analysis results with UDI-6SF and IIQ-7 total scores as dependent variables and age as an independent variable showed that the slopes of regression were not statistically significantly different (<i>p</i>-value > 0.05). The results of the analysis of the correlation between SUI (stress urinary incontinence) and age (<i>p</i> = 0.0247) and practiced sport (<i>p</i> = 0.0476) turned out to be statistically significant.ConclusionsThe type of sport practiced affects the occurrence of UI (urinary incontinence) symptoms in women. In this study, female athletes practicing strength sports had the greatest predisposition to the occurrence of UI symptoms. The occurrence of UI symptoms has little impact on the deterioration of the quality of life among women practicing selected sports.

Disability Representation in French and Tunisian Media: A Comparative Analysis of Paralympic Games Coverage

This study is part of a broader investigation into the portrayal of disability within the context of the Paralympic Games. Focusing on media coverage from 2008, 2012 and 2016 in French and Tunisian newspapers, representing two distinct cultural landscapes, we explore the nuances of how disability is depicted. Employing a multifaceted approach involving statistical analysis utilizing the Chi-squared test, discourse content analysis, and photo analysis, we delve into uncharted territory by examining the treatment of impaired athletes in Tunisian media. Our findings highlight significant disparities and instances of discrimination, not only between disabled and able-bodied athletes but also among genders within each nation. Of particular concern are the disparities in photo representation, notably the portrayal of Tunisian women athletes. By contextualizing our findings within the existing body of literature, this study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of disability representation in sports media. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper understanding of societal attitudes towards disability and offers actionable recommendations to foster more inclusive media coverage in the future.

The privilege to do it all? Exploring the contradictions of name, image and likeness (NIL) rights for women athletes and women's sports

The <i>privilege</i> to do it all? Exploring the contradictions of name, image and likeness (NIL) rights for women athletes and women's sports

A Pre and Postnatal Physical Therapy Protocol for Recreational Athletes: A Case Series.

Recent changes to medical recommendations for exercise in pregnancy and postpartum have expanded to include recreational athletes. While women are transitioning into motherhood at the height of their athletic careers, there is limited guidance on musculoskeletal training from pregnancy through safe return to activity. The lack of education and support in this population may lead to increased prevalence of symptoms and delay of treatment, ultimately hindering athletic performance. The purpose of this case series is to assess pelvic floor symptoms through implementing a new pre- and postnatal exercise training paradigm in a group of women aiming to return to recreational athletics. Case series. Six recreationally athletic women between 25-35 years of age were referred to physical therapy during pregnancy to participate in this protocol. The women completed a standardized pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation plan focused on core and pelvic floor control in addition to specific strength and mobility training. Pain, urinary dysfunction, and pelvic floor muscle strength were assessed at six weeks postpartum and at discharge. Meaningful improvement was noted in pain, urinary dysfunction, and muscle strength by the time of discharge. The decrease in symptoms and improvements in measures of musculoskeletal health suggests that a physical therapist guided rehabilitation protocol may be useful as part of the standard of care to reduce prevalence of pain and dysfunction, particularly in the recreational athlete population. Improving understanding of exercise training in this population may minimize musculoskeletal symptoms and encourage additional research to improve the standard of care for this group of patients. Level 4.

A unique pseudo-eligibility analysis of longitudinal laboratory performance data from a transgender female competitive cyclist

Abstract Background and Aims The Union Cycliste Internationale has deemed transgender female athlete’s ineligible for the female category due to concerns about performance advantages. We conducted a follow-up analysis on laboratory-based performance indicators of sports performance using data from a longitudinally assessed transgender woman athlete undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Methods We evaluated laboratory performance indicators in transgender and cisgender women athletes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, handgrip strength measurement, jump testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise. Additionally, we assessed a transgender sub-elite cyclist before and after undergoing GAHT. Results After one year of GAHT, the transgender athlete showed declines in handgrip strength (7–13 %), countermovement jump (23–29 %), and V̇O2max (15–30 %). After 3 months, several performance indicators (absolute handgrip, peak power, relative peak power, average power, relative average power, V̇O2max and relative V̇O2max) were above the mean of cisgender female athletes, while others (Relative handgrip, countermovement jump and relative countermovement jump) were below. Similar trends were observed at 6 months and 1 year. Summary This hypothetical analysis, although with limited evidence, suggests the transgender athlete could compete equitably in elite cycling events within the female category after one year of GAHT. Adjustments based on competition data would ensure fairness. Further analysis after an additional 12 months is recommended to assess the impact of 2 years of GAHT. An outright ineligibility for the female category for transgender women athletes would hinder a true assessment of performance fairness.

Examining the Relationship and the Gender Differences between Re-Injury Worry, Confidence, and Attention after a Sport Musculoskeletal Injury.

Introduction: A sport injury is an unfortunate event that can significantly impact the injured athletes' psychology. There have been no studies examining gender differences in the psychological state after a sport-related musculoskeletal injury. Τhe aims of the current study were to (a) investigate the relationship between re-injury worry levels, confidence, and attention in the injured athletes who followed a rehabilitation program in order to return to competition, and (b) compare differences in these psychological factors between male and female athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. A total of 60 athletes (30 men and 30 women) volunteered to participate, aged 25.50 ± 5.25 years old, all of whom had experienced a musculoskeletal injury within the past year. Three validated questionnaires, i.e., the Causes of Re-Injury Worry Questionnaire, the Sport Confidence Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, and the Attention Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, were completed by the participants on their first competitive game after their rehabilitation program. Results: All of the athletes experienced average levels of re-injury worry due to their opponents' ability and distraction attention, and high levels of confidence and functional attention. Many factors from the questionnaires were correlated with each other. Men experienced lower levels of re-injury worry due to rehabilitation compared to the women athletes (U = 329.00, p < 0.05), and women exhibited higher "Re-injury Worry due to Opponent's Ability" compared to the men athletes (U = 292.00, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A strong relationship was found between re-injury worry, confidence, and attention, with few gender differences. Since there is no previous research examining re-injury worry, confidence, and attention between men and women, future research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to confirm the present results.

Athletics is still a male-dominated sport: the underrepresentation of women as athletes, coaches, and referees in Brazil

Gender inequality remains a pervasive issue in sports, attracting increasing attention in contemporary research. Despite this, scant scholarly focus has been directed towards the participation of women in athletics. This study sought to investigate the involvement of women as athletes, coaches, and referees across various age categories and events within the Brazilian Athletics Championship 2019. We assessed publicly available data from the championship, specifically the number of women in these roles. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test for association estimation, and one sample t-tests for mean frequency comparisons. The level of significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Our findings revealed no significant association between event type and age category, indicating a similar frequency of female athlete participation across different events and age groups. Notably, the average participation of women as athletes (42%) and coaches (19%) was statistically below the 50% threshold (t=4.595, p&lt;0.001; t=25.00, p&lt;0.001, respectively). Women represented 41% of the referees and did not show a significant difference to 50% (t=2.973, p=0.058). There was a significant association between gender and sport position with a higher participation of women as athletes and referees compared to coaches. In this study we show that, although there is a movement towards quantitative equality, women are still underrepresented as athletes, coaches, and referees in athletics, emphasizing the imperative for investment in sports policies, sports programs development geared towards fostering gender equality in athletics practices, and a qualitative comprehension of the challenges and barriers these professionals face. Keywords: Gender; social justice; sport psychology; sport management; leadership

Tracing Testosterone in Women’s Elite Sports News Coverage: Cisnormatively Policing the Category of Women

ABSTRACT The study is tracing testosterone through debates and regulations of participation in women’s elite sport between 2015 and 2022. We are interested in the ways that testosterone becomes an agent in constructing sport-bodies as gendered bodies and sustaining as well as deconstructing binary gender categories in elite sport. Furthermore, taking up feminist science and technology studies, affect and trans theory, we are interested in what testosterone does to the ways elite women athletes are imagined, but moreover, we are interested in the figures and signifiers that get attached to testosterone within elite sporting realms, such as questions of fairness and danger. Based on a dataset of documents, regulations, and press releases from a range of international sports organizations and articles from Danish media debates on (especially trans) women’s participation in sports, we analyse selected cases of woman athletes, sport organization and sport disciplines that have been involved in debates about testosterone rules and levels in women’s sport.

Androgenic Steroid Hormones and Endurance Exercise in Athletic Women.

This study investigated the impact of intensive endurance exercise on circulating androgenic steroid hormones in women. Fifteen normally menstruating athletic women participated. They completed intensive endurance exercise (treadmill running) until volitional fatigue in their follicular phase, with blood samples collected at pre-exercise, volitional fatigue, 90 min and 24 h into recovery. The steroid hormones (total, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], and DHEA-sulfate [DHEA-S], cortisol) were analyzed in blood sera. Non-parametric statistics were used to assess changes across exercise and recovery. At volitional fatigue, all hormones, except free testosterone, were significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to pre-exercise levels. Most hormones remained elevated through 90 min of recovery, with DHEA, DHEA-S, and total testosterone changes being significant (p < 0.05). At 24 h of recovery, hormonal levels were reduced; specifically, DHEA, DHEA-S, and total testosterone compared to baseline (p < 0.01 to 0.06). Increases in cortisol levels at volitional fatigue and 90 min of recovery were correlated with reductions in total testosterone, DHEA, and DHEA-S observed at 24 h of recovery (rho > -0.62, p < 0.05). In conclusion, in menstruating women performing intensive endurance exercise during their follicular phase, their androgenic steroid hormones remain elevated during early recovery but are suppressed at 24 h of recovery. The latter finding indicates that establishing a resting endocrine equilibrium requires a longer recovery period than 24 h.

Current, former student‐athletes, coaches embark on ‘Take Back Title IX’ bus tour

LAS VEGAS — More than a dozen current and former student‐athletes and coaches recently embarked on a coast‐to‐coast bus tour to raise awareness and garner more support for a cause near and dear to their hearts. At each stop of the “Take Back Title IX” tour, they held rallies, spreading their message that women's athletics opportunities “are being stripped away.”

Evaluation of chemical composition, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of herbs enriched plant-based protein mix for women athletes

Evaluation of chemical composition, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of herbs enriched plant-based protein mix for women athletes

Troubling dualisms: Understanding the creation and implementation of protective policies in elite women's sport

In today's political environment, questions of “fairness,” “protection,” and “woman” remain contentious topics, particularly in sport, and draw from different types of knowledges to support corresponding regulatory documents. Considering the heterogeneity of knowledge informing protection for (women) athletes, there remain questions around how to create (policy) guidelines, which ostensibly convey consensus on complex topics (e.g. female eligibility, trans eligibility, and athlete health). In this article, we draw from Anne Fausto-Sterling's “dueling dualisms” and Michel Foucault's theory of governmentality to examine what, how, and why specific ways of knowing make their way into written policies whereas others are left out or re-interpreted. To do so, we examine three International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics (WA) policy texts (i.e. the IOC's consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport [REDs] and WA's female and transgender eligibility policies) and interviews with IOC and WA experts. We find disconnects between expert knowledge, written texts, and anticipated policy implementations, despite the perception of consensus in written documents. These discrepancies especially manifest in the ideas of policies as both a scientific process and a felt experience, and controlled unfairness.

Women's rugby for all: Toward an intersectional women's rugby research agenda.

Women rugby players are participating in the sport at the highest levels to date. However, despite this increase in participation, sports sciences and sports medicine/sports physiotherapy (SEMS) research output has not mirrored this increase. Females have hormonally mediated anatomical and physiological profiles, which may have implications for rugby performance, injury risk and rehabilitation outcomes. However, hormonal fluctuations and the physiological differences between the sexes are not the only contributors to sex-related differences in the rugby experience. Rugby is a highly gendered environment, which operates within a hegemonic masculine norm and marginalises female and women athletes. Further, while women players in general are underrepresented in sports sciences and SEMS research, women rugby players and experts from ethnic minorities and the Global South are near invisible in the literature as they are marginalised on multiple fronts. Sports sciences and SEMS research should take an intersectional lens to investigate the joint relationship between the various sources of inequity in rugby. Intersectional research in women rugby players would encourage the conceptualisation and analysis of the complex social inequalities that the most marginalised women players and those who simultaneously negotiate multiple identities experience. Such data can better inform federation-level interventions and policy changes to address the needs of historically marginalised player populations as our research portfolio will be more representative of the world's rugby population.

Correlations between amplitude rheovasographic indicators of the crus and anthropometric dimensions in volleyball players women of different somatotypes

Somatotypological features of the body can be considered as a lever of sports achievements, because they have an effect on the efficiency of the energy supply system, physical capacity, ability to adapt, and the state of the cardiovascular system. The purpose of our work is to reveal the correlations between the amplitude parameters of the crus rheovasogram and anthropometric indices in young volleyball players women of different somatotypes. A comprehensive clinical and laboratory study of the state of health and physical development of 108 volleyball players women aged 16-20 years (youth period of ontogenesis) of high sports ranks (from II adult to masters of sports) was conducted. Rheovasographic parameters of the crus in volleyball players women were determined by the method of tetrapolar rheocardiography on a certified computer diagnostic multifunctional complex. Anthropometric determination of the total dimensions of the body and chest, pelvis, limbs, and head was performed according to the recommendations of Shaparenko P. P. (2000), somatotypological – according to the Heath-Carter calculation method (1990). After somatotyping, it was established that 28 women volleyball players belonged to the mesomorphic type of constitution, 27 women athletes were assigned to the ectomorphic and ecto-mesomorphic somatotypes each, and 26 women volleyball players belonged to the medium intermediate type. The analysis of the obtained results was carried out in the license program "Statistica 5.5" using correlation analysis according to Spearman. We found that highly professional women volleyball players, who have different body types, differ in the strength and number of significant correlations between the amplitude rheovasographic parameters of the crus and anthropometric dimensions. The most numerous (18.64 % of the possible correlations, of which 6.82 % are reliable) and the strongest (3 strong with a correlation coefficient from -0.64 to -0.73) correlations between the amplitude indicators of the crus rheovasogram and parameters of the external body structure were recorded in volleyball players women of the middle intermediate somatotype. Ectomorphs had the lowest number and strength of relationships (3.18 % of possible correlations, only 1 reliable). Individual longitudinal dimensions of the body, chest girths and its diameters, transverse dimensions of the pelvis, and skinfold thickness were most often correlated with the amplitude indicators of the crus rheovasogram in women volleyball players of various constitutional types. Determining the features of the correlations is the basis for assessing the harmony of the physical development of women volleyball players and conducting further statistical modeling to determine their appropriate crus rheovasographic indicators.

The effects of caffeine ingestion on blood pressure levels in athletic and non-athletic women.

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed pharmacological substances globally, and is known for its potential ergogenic effects. This study examined the impact of caffeine on the blood pressure in athletic and non-athletic women. Caffeine, a CNS stimulant, enhances athletic performance by boosting stamina, alertness, and cognitive speed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of caffeine on heart rate and blood pressure in both athletic and non-athletic women, and to inform both groups about its effects. The study was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and involved 30 volunteers aged 18-30 years. Participants were equally divided into three groups: athletes who consumed caffeine, non-athletes who consumed caffeine, and a control group (given a placebo). After caffeine ingestion, there were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), or heart rate between athletes and non-athletes. These findings suggest that caffeine consumption does not significantly affect blood pressure in either athletic or non-athletic women. However, if it raises blood pressure in both groups, it could pose risks, prompting athletes to consider alternative hydration options such as Gatorade.

Studying professional women footballers: A reflexive commentary on being benched from recruitment

In this reflexive commentary we provide critical reflections on the challenges of recruiting professional women football players as experienced by the researchers. We posit that the same social, systemic inequities that make continued study of women's professionalized sport so important, also generate challenges to recruiting women athletes. As we share our reflections on the difficulties we experienced throughout our recruitment process, we hope to illuminate challenges and strategies to advance sport research with professional women athletes and answer calls to amplify marginalized voices across sport studies. Namely, we identify three (inaccurate) outsider researcher assumptions that contributed to our recruitment challenges related to social, systemic inequities: (a) many professional women football players will (at some point) secure a financial sponsorship deal, (b) the football club staff would be our gatekeepers, and (c) women's football has professionalized working conditions, resources, and support. We argue that it is important to understand the challenges and gatekeepers that researchers encounter while studying professional women's sport, to address gender inequities while working towards a more socially just landscape.