Professional Women Research Articles

Ambivalent Utopias: Corporate Biopower and the Gendered Limits of Agency in Reset

Abstract This article examines Reset (逆时营救, 2017), a Chinese science fiction film that diverges from the genre’s typical patriotic themes. Reset offers a compelling case study for exploring technoscience’s impact – as a tool of corporate biopower and neocolonialism – on human corporeality, subjectivity, and female agency. The film’s protagonist, Xia Tian, transforms from a career-focused scientist to time-traveling cyborgs, ultimately reverting to a traditional maternal role. Analyzing this trajectory through Foucault’s biopower, Haraway’s cyborg feminism, and contemporary theories on reproductive futurism and sacrificial motherhood, the study unveils Reset’s function as an allegorical lens. It magnifies the effects of global corporate biopower on human subjectivity, particularly female agency amid apocalyptic upheavals. Xia Tian’s journey illustrates the complexities professional women face in balancing career and family, reflecting broader societal issues and mirroring Chinese cultural imperatives that simultaneously valorize motherhood and women’s workforce participation. Reset performs a double movement: introducing alternative forms of womanhood via cyborg iterations while framing these as incompatible with the envisaged societal future. This paradox highlights the film’s ambiguous stance, critiquing neocolonial capitalism’s manipulation of human bodies while exhibiting a conservative approach to gender roles.

SHATTERING THE GLASS CEILING Women’s Roles and Images in Iranian Architectural Magazines (1946-2001)

This paper examines the evolution of Iranian architectural magazines, focusing on discernible shifts in the involvement and portrayal of women during three distinct periods spanning from 1946 to 2001. From 1946 to 1969, female contributions to the magazines were markedly scarce initially, with depictions limited to non-progressive representations of women in traditional roles and endorsements directed towards the Queen. Along with the modern cultural initiatives of the Pahlavi state in the 1970s, the magazines transitioned from a prior disregard for female figures to occasionally recognising them as equally capable professionals. In contrast to this shift and the gradual growth in the number of educated and professional women before and after the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic embarked on a systematic effort to marginalise women and censor their images from public view. Challenging the post-revolutionary moments of limitation and censorship, few charismatic figures succeeded in redefining their roles and images in architectural magazines, especially after the revivals of 1991 and 1998 that were marked by the publication of two ground-breaking magazines. This study, supported by a comprehensive historical review, employs Theo van Leeuwen’s discourse analysis, revealing the intricate interplay of four discursive strategies in shaping women’s representation in Iranian architectural magazines across the three periods. The text underscores the impact of pre- and post-revolutionary societal and political changes. It highlights how the resilience of Iranian women led to an unprecedented redefinition of female professional roles in the 1990s.

Empowering women: navigating work environment challenges with mental toughness

Purpose This literature review examines women’s significant workplace challenges and explores mental toughness, a distinct non-cognitive ability associated with peak athletic performance. This study aims to understand this concept and its potential for women professionals facing similar challenges in an organisational context. Design/methodology/approach Based on a systematic literature review, this exploratory paper is an integrative literature review synthesising pre-existing knowledge using secondary scientific databases. This literature analysis will pave the way for comprehension of the existing body of research, identification of research gaps, and opportunities for further studies. Different typologies of mental toughness (MT) have been identified, and a new typology will emerge from this research study. Findings The study analyses over 100 articles based on MT typology and complex gender dynamics at work, especially the “broken rung” concept of trapping women in lower or mid-level roles in an organisation. This content analyses the recent emergence of the MT typology in academic research, with articles published after 2019 and a few earlier key works that shaped the concept of MT. In addition to contributing a comprehensive typology of MT and its impact on women professionals, this paper also provides recommendations for future research and individual-level development of MT to help women overcome workplace barriers globally. Research limitations/implications Understanding MT’s impact on women’s ability to overcome workplace barriers has HR implications, including hiring, retention, career advancement, training and closing gender gaps. This research may help individual women professionals adopt MT as a psychological resource to navigate work environment challenges. Further research is needed for practical insights, given this discussion is based on a literature review. Practical implications The practical implications of this study have a profound impact on human resource management practices within organisations, highlighting the multifaceted approach required to tackle gender disparity. A more inclusive and supportive work environment can be created by ensuring MT training is accessible to all employees. A comprehensive career development plan for women professionals, including but not limited to mentoring, executive sponsorship, skill-building training or stretched assignments, leadership coaching, networking opportunities, and increased visibility in the organisation are critical for career advancement and retention. Originality/value This study is a novel attempt to examine whether MT, which has proven effective in helping athletes achieve their goals, can be applied in a workplace environment. It is also a new endeavour to investigate whether women could use MT as a psychological tool to help them overcome obstacles in a diverse professional setting.

Confronting social dominance ideology: how professional women manage career stereotypes in male-dominated occupations

PurposeUsing social dominance theory as a conceptual lens, this study explores how female managers and professionals strive to defy the perceived career stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated occupations.Design/methodology/approachThe dataset comprises 30 interviews with female bank managers and senior engineers in Nigeria – a non-Western location and work group – a sample that is considered under-researched.FindingsThe qualitative analysis identifies how the interviewed women adopted three strategies in managing gender and career stereotypes, with some expressing concerns of experiencing emotional dissonance as they contend with occupational segregation based on gender.Research limitations/implicationsThe extent to which the findings can be generalised may be constrained by the study’s limited sample size. Nevertheless, the findings shed light on the underlying importance of disclosing how working women exert themselves in navigating the social dominance ideology in Nigeria that is notable for extreme gender role differentiation. This often results in an intensification of the efforts made by female professionals in confronting the endemic nature of male chauvinism in Nigerian organisations.Originality/valueResearch on gender and career constraints has, in the main, restricted our understanding of the barriers that Nigerian women face in their careers as a result of the masculine hegemony perpetuated by social dominance. The present study aims to challenge, however, proponents of social dominance by unveiling the mitigating strategies that women living in an inegalitarian society adopt to confront occupational male-group ascendency.

O-317 Recurrent miscarriage and infertility : a qualitative study of views and experiences of services in the republic of Ireland

Abstract Study question How do women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) and infertility and healthcare professionals view and experience services and supports? Summary answer RM and infertility is a complex experience, intensified by divisions within the Irish healthcare system and a lack of knowledge and awareness around reproductive health What is known already While services for recurrent miscarriage (RM) are gradually improving with increasing awareness, women with RM and infertility have received limited attention in research and clinical guidance internationally. RM and infertility are separately associated with psychological distress and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, the dual experience is devastating for women and couples, and the optimal supports remain unidentified. Identifying the needs of this cohort is especially pertinent in the Republic of Ireland as public fertility care expands to include assisted reproductive technologies, previously only available through private or not-for-profit fertility clinics. Study design, size, duration We undertook a qualitative semi-structured interview study using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. Thirty-three interviews were conducted, virtually on MIcrosoft Teams and in-person, between Dec 2022 and May 2023. These were audio-recorded, and data transcribed to NVivo12 for subsequent analysis. Participants/materials, setting, methods We recruited healthcare professionals delivering RM and/or fertility services, and women who experienced two or more consecutive miscarriages in the last four years and had undergone fertility care, through our professional networks and social media. Purposive sampling was used to include diverse perspectives across disciplines, public and private sectors, lived experiences and geographical locations. Interviews were audio-recorded, and data transcribed for subsequent reflexive thematic analysis. Main results and the role of chance We interviewed 16 healthcare professionals and 17 women with lived experience. Women were aged 35-47 and had experienced two to nine miscarriages. All received fertility care in ROI, with some additional care abroad. Healthcare professionals included four Clinical Midwifery Specialists in Bereavement eight Consultants and four Clinical Nurse Specialists in Fertility. We actively generated four themes during data analysis. (1) “Exploring all avenues”- women sought the best care and information, but their search was hindered by stigmatisation, definitions of RM and misinformation. (2) “Exhausting all resources” - women wanted to ensure they had tried everything to have a baby, investing all physical, emotional and financial reserves (3) “Separateness” - women feel remote from others who have not experienced RM or infertility and removed from both maternity and fertility services, as well as caught between public and private systems. (4) “No woman is an island” - supports come from multiple sources in their lives and in various guises but are limited, especially psychological supports. Limitations, reasons for caution This was a sample of white, educated, professional women with access to private fertility services. While a diverse group of HCPs were interviewed with current and past clinical experiences of private fertility services, there was limited engagement from fertility care providers. Wider implications of the findings This study identifies areas for improvement, such as access to investigations and supports, as well as the experiences and specific care and support needs of women/couples experiencing RM and infertility. Issues such as women’s awareness of their reproductive health, and equity in services, are applicable to all maternity service users. Trial registration number N/A

Women’s Entrée into Advertising Through the Brand Test Kitchen

As branded food products spread in the early 1900s, advertisers began speaking directly to women shoppers. Adopting a women-advertising-to-women approach, national brands and advertising agencies hired home economics professionals and charged them with creating test kitchens to develop and test recipes, write advertising copy, correspond with consumers, and test products. They became the face and voice of brands, providing women entrée into the male-dominated advertising profession. These professional women brought an understanding of the needs of the housewife, knowledge of the emerging fields of dietetics and home economics, and a scientific approach to solving “home problems.” Brand test kitchens became a symbol of trust, signifying that the product was reliable, pure, and economical. Today major food brands such as Kraft, Heinz, General Mills, and Kellogg’s still maintain test kitchens to meet consumer needs, educate consumers on proper product use, and produce new branded recipes.

Incidence and burden of 671 injuries in professional women footballers: time to focus on context-specific injury risk reduction strategies

ABSTRACT This study investigated the extent of injury incidence and burden in a professional women football team of the Scottish Women’s Premier League during two seasons. All injuries causing time-loss or required medical attention were recorded prospectively. A total of 671 injuries, 570 requiring medical attention and 101 causing time-loss were recorded in 41 players. Injuries occurring with National Team resulted in 12% of the club’s international players’ lay-off. Overall injury incidence was 11.1/1000-hours and burden was 368.9 days/1000-hours. Injury incidence (23.9/1000-hours vs 8.2/1000-hours) and burden (1049.8 days/1000-hours vs 215.1 days/1000-hours) were higher for match compared to training. Foremost mechanism of match injury burden was indirect-contact, which was different than the non-contact predominantly observed for training injury burden. Injury incidence, burden and patterns differed between training, match and playing positions. Tailoring injury-risk reduction strategies considering context, circumstances and playing position deserve consideration to enhance player’s injury resilience in professional women footballers.

Tail Lights

1st October 2023. As autumn leaves fallsoftly and rustle to the ground, this poppedup on my Twitter feed: 52 years ago, the veryfirst CT scan was performed on a person.Godfrey Hounsfield was apparentlyintrigued by the notion of using cosmic raysto find hidden structures without “openingthe box” or entering ancient Egyptianpyramids. This brought to my mind thebeautiful bag Elliot (MedChir President,2022/23) gifted me on behalf of MedChir atthe Alumni Ball 2023. Why? Because the firstwoman featured on the bag is Cleopatra. Iloved it so much I ordered a few more forProfessor Judy Yee MD in New York City. Shewas chuffed and Twitter lit up with requestson where to buy them! (Supporting the localeconomy and all that….!)As we continue striving towards genderequality, I thought I’d share the wonderfulevent Elliot and the MedChir team pulledtogether for International Women’s Day,showcasing 4 amazing women Professors. Itwas a scintillating evening where we wereprivileged to hear and learn about their verydifferent careers and experiencesculminating in Professorships in Medicine.No mean feat by any standards! (Let meknow if you would like to attend anotherevening like this and I’ll see what we can do). Professor Rona Mackie / Lady Black another woman who changed the world!(disappointingly, not pictured on the bag) regrettably could not join us on the night. Asthe first woman appointed to an establishedChair at the University of Glasgow,Professor Mackie is a trailblazer, achievingand continuing to achieve so much in hercareer and life. As one of the foundingmembers of The Academy of MedicalSciences, not only has she been at theforefront of groundbreaking medicalresearch, but has also enabled others tocontinue advancing cutting edge medicine aswell as establishing one of the mostsuccessful medical mentoring programmes. Ihope you enjoy reading our little chat anddraw as much inspiration from it as I didmeeting her! Her vitality and formidability issomething that we should all aspire to!

Professional Women as Perpetrators: A Conversation with Valérie, “Rwanda’s Voice of Death”

ABSTRACT The literature on women’s participation in genocide and related violence focuses on the actions of women who are either at the very top or at the very bottom of social hierarchies. Exceptional roles played by a select few elite women prosecuted at international criminal tribunals have been recognized. Scholars have also examined the motivations of ordinary women who are swayed by ethnocentric scapegoating or commit violence out of fear and coercion, including social and economic incentives. In-depth analyses of female perpetrators in the professionals category who, along with men in that category, serve as bridgemakers between commoners and leaders are scarce. With the exception of nurses, teachers, and secretaries involved in the Holocaust, the professionals category is gravely understudied in scholarship on perpetrators. This article begins to rectify this gap by examining the case of Valérie Bemeriki who, as a journalist for the Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), promoted the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Valérie is a perpetrator who was intimately close to many Rwandans, including her victims, through the radio, yet she is simultaneously unfamiliar as her motivations have not been widely disclosed. The article provides an interpretive analysis of my interview with Valérie, radio transcripts of Valérie’s hate speech obtained by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and Rwandan and international newspapers and secondary source materials concerning Valérie. The findings suggest that perpetrators in the professionals category convey a contradictory experience in their motivations during the violence and their grievances in the aftermath. While Valérie minimized her agency in the genocidal machine, emphasizing structural constraints, she actively distinguished herself from powerless commoners, including Rwandan women living in a deeply patriarchal society. The article portrays Valérie as a strategic professional who hoped to excel by catering to powerful political figures.

Career aspiration and workplace reality – Lived experience of early career professional women in construction

Despite the increasing number of women studying built environment and engineering courses, the participation of professional women in construction remains low in Australia. Interviews with early career professional women in construction showed a misalignment between career aspiration and career reality because of gender bias, discrimination and harassment, procedural bias, and a demanding work environment based on a male work model. Due to structural and cultural career constraints, many women had already given up thinking they could achieve their goals and were considering an alternative career path. Practical implications highlight that organisations can support the retention and success of early career professional women by fundamentally re-shaping workplace culture and work practices. This change is essential so that early career women are certain that a long-term career in construction is viable and that they will be able to combine work and family commitments if they choose to do so without a career penalty.

Exploring Work-Life Balance: Challenges and Strategies for Women in the Modern Professional Landscape

The current professional landscape poses distinct difficulties and possibilities for women seeking work-life balance. This research investigates the many hurdles that women experience while managing job expectations with personal life duties, as well as successful techniques for overcoming these obstacles. Gender prejudices, uneven family obligations, and the impact of distant work on personal time are among the most significant difficulties. This study identifies strategies for improving work-life balance for women through a comprehensive literature review and qualitative analysis of women's experiences across various industries. These strategies include flexible working arrangements, organizational support, and personal time management techniques. The findings emphasize the necessity of policy changes, workplace culture adjustments, and individual resilience in creating an egalitarian professional environment. By addressing these issues, the research hopes to add to the ongoing discussion on gender equality and work-life integration, providing practical insights for employers, legislators, and female professionals. KEYWORD: Flexible Working Arrangement, Women professionals, Gender equality, Professional landscape, Gender biases, Career and family balance

Team resilience in high-performance women’s football: Contextual stressors and opportunities for development

The purpose of this study was to conduct a pre-intervention team resilience needs assessment in the context of high-performance women’s football. The needs assessment included a review of the literature, focus group discussions, and input from an expert steering group. Following scoping meetings with senior personnel from the National Governing Body, teams in the top two tiers of a professional women’s football league and within the academy structure were contacted. Five focus groups made up of football players were conducted. Altogether, 27 participants (Mage = 23.96, SD = 4.49) took part. The focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis from a critical realist standpoint. The study identified the contextual stressors that high-performance women’s football teams encounter (i.e., organizational stressors arising from a newly professionalized environment and on-pitch stressors arising from low social resources), effective team resilience practices currently employed by group members (i.e., establishing a strong foundation for high quality relationships; unity in managing pressure; and learning from setbacks to inform future preparation for adversity) and the perceived gaps for team resilience development (i.e., limited effectiveness and inconsistent use of deliberate pressure training; inadequate psycho-social resources; and lack of effective proactive group level strategies during pressure). The study highlighted the importance of a systematic needs assessment within an Intervention Mapping Framework prior to undertaking an intervention as several nuances to the specific context of high-performance women’s football were identified.

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 Parkinson's Puzzle Box.

Women and those with younger onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) are typically diagnosed later and face unique situations and challenges. This essay aims to raise awareness of the difficulties in diagnosing YOPD and the need for a personalised approach to care for women with YOPD. Two professional women with YOPD (academic physiotherapist and practicing dentist) and a female neurologist (clinician academic) came together to write a narrative essay on their personal experience and perspectives in relation to women and YOPD. The essay outlines how the experience of diagnosis is likened to a complex puzzle box with many interlocking components that are hidden and difficult to solve. The concerns of the women about their identity, work, family and the future, with most supports targeting those that are older and retired are outlined. It is concluded that YOPD is a complex puzzle to solve, but can be done by understanding all the intricate interlocking components of the puzzle and combined with greater awareness could lead to earlier diagnosis and the delivery of successful person-centred care. People with lived experience were involved in the essay conception and writing.

Brittney Griner, Intersectionality, and “Woke Politics”: A Critical Examination of Brittney Griner’s Return to the United States

In February of 2022, professional women’s basketball player Brittney Griner was detained in Russia on drug possession charges. Her detainment was a trending Twitter topic demonstrating the cultural, political, and social state of the United States, specifically pertaining to race, gender, nationality, and LGBTQ matters. The purpose of this study was to analyze what Brittney Griner’s release from Russia tells us about social power relations and contemporary social political matters on the axis of race, gender, and sexual orientation. We organized the data to determine three distinct, yet interconnected themes: (a) Woke Politics at the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Queerness; (b) Preferential Treatment at the Expense of Whiteness Informed Patriotism; and (c) Intersectionality as Political Pandering.

Extracting Retrospective Information through the Public Sharing of Female Golfers' Contributions in a Digital Environment: An Analytical Perspective of Their Impact on Shaping Golf Communities

Abstract Social media are an integrated part of everyday life. They are creating a new paradigm of information consumption. The era of popularity of searching for information in large texts is irreversibly gone. The current model of communication and information distribution favours visual content. One of the major social media platforms that specializes in expressive visual content is Instagram. The essence of a communication idea is effectively rendered in a unique image. Thus, it becomes a key tool for the transmission of communication. In the above technical paper, we present empirical data that investigate the impact of Instagram posts of three professional women golfers during the calendar year 2022. The first one is the most followed golfer on social networks, the second one ranks among the current best professional golfers and the third one holds the position of the president of the Slovak Ladies Golf Association. These prominent figures in golf create a significant impact on the social opinion of the sport. The central aim of the present study is to comprehensively understand how certain types of visual content, also created through AI, elicit maximum audience engagement on social media. We present the results in the context of correlating the influence of different factors on the level of viewer interaction. The value is expressed through the number of likes awarded and the size of the membership base of the affected accounts.

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.

Examining mediating and moderating influences among career competencies and leadership aspiration

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration among women IT/ITeS professionals in South India, examining the mediating effects of work role salience and occupational self-efficacy, along with the moderating effect of achievement aspiration.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 348 women professionals working in the IT/ITeS industry in South India. The study adopts a descriptive methodology and employs a cross-sectional research design.FindingsThe result shows that work role salience mediates the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration and that this mediation is moderated by achievement aspiration. Additionally, occupational self-efficacy is found to have a supplementary effect on leadership aspiration, further contributing to the model.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the limitations of online data collection, the study showcases adaptability, providing valuable insights into women's career aspirations. It acknowledges opportunities for future research improvements, such as implementing longitudinal frameworks and incorporating a more diverse sample, to enhance the robustness and applicability of findings.Practical implicationsThe study offers valuable insights for managers, researchers and academia, aiding in the identification of crucial competencies for women aspiring to leadership roles, and fostering the retention of top talent in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Individuals can leverage these insights for enhanced career development by recognizing and emphasizing strengths while addressing weaknesses through accurate self-assessments.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel perspective by identifying the essential competencies that are crucial for women to achieve leadership positions, thus making a valuable contribution to the existing literature in the field.

Comparison of the finishing shot and ending zone of points in Grand Slam matches of women's doubles tennis: A cross-sectional study.

Despite the importance of doubles tennis, there is little research on this modality of the game, especially in women's tennis. The aim of this study was to analyse the finishing shot, the ending zone and shot by ending zone of women´s doubles matches during three Grand Slams (GS), and to observe the differences among surfaces. Twenty-one women's doubles matches from three GS, each played on a different surface were analysed. 56.4 ± 2.3% of the points were finished from the baseline and mid court zone (BMZ), 36.1 ± 2.3% from the net zone (NZ) and 7.5 ± 4.2% from the service zone (SZ). The shot with which the points ended primarily was the forehand volley (FV) (18.2 ± 3.5%), followed by the forehand (F) (17.4 ± 4.2%), the backhand (B) (15.8 ± 4.8%), the backhand volley (BV) (12.8 ± 3.6%), the forehand return (FRT) (11.7 ± 2.7%), the backhand return (BRT) (11.4 ± 2.6%), the service (S) (7.5 ± 4.2%) and the overhead (O) (5.2 ± 3.0%). The results showed a higher percentage of F played from the BMZ in Roland Garros (RG) than in Wimbledon (W) (p = 0.011). In addition, the results also showed a higher percentage in overall F in RG than in W (p = 0.023). The FRT percentage was higher in the Australian Open (AUS) compared to RG (p = 0.026), and the O shots played from the BMZ were higher in W than RG (p = 0.038). These results suggest that in professional women's doubles tennis the net game is a determinant factor, as well as the volley (V) and F shots. Playing aggressive and close to the net may have a positive effect on the result.

The “cost of football”: motherhood, coaching and work-family conflict

ABSTRACT Purpose/Rationale The gender-specific needs of employed female football players are now recognised, but it is more complex for female coaches. As such, this research aimed to document the experiences of elite female football coaches who are mothers as they navigate parenthood with paid work as a coach. Design/Methodology/Approach 4 full-time, elite level mother-coaches took part in a semi-structured interview, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and with the Ecological-Intersectional Model as a theoretical lens. Findings Professional mother-coaches in women’s football in England report that they are exposed to several challenges. Mother-coaches felt pressure to choose their career over family, were perceived negatively by most colleagues, and highlighted the profession was unprepared for mothers. They relied on supportive individuals to navigate motherhood and coaching. Practical Implications Change is needed at both interpersonal and organisational levels in the football industry to better support mother-coaches at an individual level. This could include practical support for mother-coaches such as work flexibility, childcare support for out of hours work, alongside wider acceptance of family life within the industry. Originality/Value In highlighting the experiences of professional women football coaches and motherhood, and the navigation work-family conflict, this insight can provide a starting point for appropriate policy change.