The bounce-back illusion: Why real postpartum bodies deserve the spotlight
Let’s begin with a familiar image. A woman, newly postpartum, stands in her living room. Her baby is nestled in a sling across her chest, and she’s attempting something between a squat and a stretch while simultaneously rescuing a plush giraffe from under the couch. She is not wearing Lululemon. She has not “bounced back.”…
Girls only sport spaces
Girls who are part of marginalized groups often miss out on sports, posing a big challenge for inclusion. A recent study found that much of the hesitancy to join sports comes from patriarchal norms and shyness. Promoting girls only sports with female coaches may lead to better rates of sport participation.
Gender inequality in sport research
Despite progress, gender imbalances remain prevalent in many areas of sport, including research. This study shows that 66% of participants were male and only 34% female, highlighting the need for more gender equitable research going forward.
Sport-specific influences and risk factors for disordered eating
Female athletes in artistic, endurance and combat sports are at higher risk of developing disordered eating and eating disorders than the general population, and new research reveals some interesting sport-specific differences. For example, female endurance athletes engage in more disordered eating attitudes and behaviours than athletes in artistic and combat sports, emphasizing the importance of…
Breaking the taboo about menstrual cycles in sport
Competitive female athletes perceive their hormonal cycles as affecting their sport involvement, but rarely discuss these issues with their coaches. A study of Swedish cross-country skiers showed that low levels of knowledge about hormonal cycles are a barrier to communication. Strategies to increase knowledge and strengthen coach-athlete relationships can help to break down barriers for…
Girls only sport spaces
Girls who are part of marginalized groups often miss out on sports, posing a big challenge for inclusion. A recent study found that much of the hesitancy to join sports comes from patriarchal norms and shyness. Promoting girls only sports with female coaches may lead to better rates of sport participation.
Sport-specific influences and risk factors for disordered eating
Female athletes in artistic, endurance and combat sports are at higher risk of developing disordered eating and eating disorders than the general population, and new research reveals some interesting sport-specific differences. For example, female endurance athletes engage in more disordered eating attitudes and behaviours than athletes in artistic and combat sports, emphasizing the importance of…
Gender inequality in sport research
Despite progress, gender imbalances remain prevalent in many areas of sport, including research. This study shows that 66% of participants were male and only 34% female, highlighting the need for more gender equitable research going forward.
Breaking the taboo about menstrual cycles in sport
Competitive female athletes perceive their hormonal cycles as affecting their sport involvement, but rarely discuss these issues with their coaches. A study of Swedish cross-country skiers showed that low levels of knowledge about hormonal cycles are a barrier to communication. Strategies to increase knowledge and strengthen coach-athlete relationships can help to break down barriers for…
ReThink Sport: Building an inclusive and equitable future for youth sports in Canada
From coast to coast to coast, what could a reimagined equitable, diverse, and inclusive youth sport system look like, especially for girls? This is the question driving the mission of the ReThink Sport Project. Given what we know; that youth face a myriad of barriers to sport participation including identity factors such as gender, race,…