Methodological Considerations for Studies in Sport and Exercise Science with Women as Participants: A Working Guide for Standards of Practice for Research on Women

Until recently, there has been less demand for and interest in female-specific sport and exercise science data. As a result, the vast majority of high-quality sport and exercise science data have been derived from studies with men as participants, which reduces the application of these data due to t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sports medicine (Auckland) Vol. 51; no. 5; pp. 843 - 861
Main Authors: Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J., Minahan, Clare L., de Jonge, Xanne A. K. Janse, Ackerman, Kathryn E., Sipilä, Sarianna, Constantini, Naama W., Lebrun, Constance M., Hackney, Anthony C.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.05.2021
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Adaptation
Current Opinion
Design
Endocrinology
Exercise
Females
Hormones
Life span
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Menopause
Menstrual cycle
Menstruation
Nutrition
Ovaries
Paralympic Games
Physical fitness
Physiology
Pregnancy
Puberty
Science
Scientists
Sports Medicine
Steroids
Terminology
Womens health
ISSN:0112-1642, 1179-2035, 1179-2035
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Until recently, there has been less demand for and interest in female-specific sport and exercise science data. As a result, the vast majority of high-quality sport and exercise science data have been derived from studies with men as participants, which reduces the application of these data due to the known physiological differences between the sexes, specifically with regard to reproductive endocrinology. Furthermore, a shortage of specialist knowledge on female physiology in the sport science community, coupled with a reluctance to effectively adapt experimental designs to incorporate female-specific considerations, such as the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and the menopause, has slowed the pursuit of knowledge in this field of research. In addition, a lack of agreement on the terminology and methodological approaches (i.e., gold-standard techniques) used within this research area has further hindered the ability of researchers to adequately develop evidenced-based guidelines for female exercisers. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the specific considerations needed when employing women (i.e., from athletes to non-athletes) as participants in sport and exercise science-based research. These considerations relate to participant selection criteria and adaptations for experimental design and address the diversity and complexities associated with female reproductive endocrinology across the lifespan. This statement intends to promote an increase in the inclusion of women as participants in studies related to sport and exercise science and an enhanced execution of these studies resulting in more high-quality female-specific data.
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ISSN:0112-1642
1179-2035
1179-2035
DOI:10.1007/s40279-021-01435-8