Gathering Evidence and Supporting Progress of Female Elite Sport and Para-Sport

Dear Colleagues,

Female elite sport and para-sport is an area which has seen significant recent attention, growth and development in recent years, and it is essential that journals begin to capture and support this information to ensure that support and content space is available for academics looking to showcase their research. Despite the growth in this area, it is still considerably under-represented and under-considered against the focus and prevalence of knowledge for elite male athletes/para-athletes. This topic area holds significant value in understanding the many avenues of research from the impact of motherhood to the effectiveness of prevention programs; programs that enhance performance research are needed. To begin to address this important area of research, it is essential that subject experts and specialists are invited to support the topic and together develop further knowledge and create collaboration. Below is an initial example of topic areas that require research specifically for elite female athletes. Please consider these areas and consider how they could be combined: 

Area 1 by health domains: Research that is based on the IOC Female Health Domains. This includes menstrual and gynaecological health, preconception/assisted reproduction, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, breast health, pelvic floor health, breast feeding, parenting and caregiving, mental health and the sport environment.

Area 2 by generation of athlete: Research is needed to consider the female elite athlete through the generations. Consider the emerging athlete/para-athlete, the pregnant athlete/para-athlete, the athlete/para-athlete around injuries or illness (e.g., exercise-induced laryngeal obstraction) and the athlete/para-athlete at the end of their career (perimenopause).

Area 3 by focused topic: Research is needed that considers prevention-based research, performance enhancement research, and fertility-based research

Area 4 from the stakeholder perspective. Research needs to consider the different stakeholders involved in elite female athlete research, e.g., understanding of the healthcare team (doctors, physios), performance team (coaches, sports scientist), care givers and supporters (family around the athletes).

Area 5: understanding of major events and other sociological aspects. Research is needed to capture the influence and impact of women’s major events (for instance, the women’s Rugby World Cup this summer). Further study considering the sociological aspects of sport is required, for instance, the study around if and how women’s sport is coming elitist, and why? We would welcome varied methodological approaches considering the above issues, including reviews and empirical studies, as well as other types of articles such as perspective articles.

Dr. Andrew Soundy
Dr. Gemma Parry
Dr. Rosalyn Cooke
Topic Editors