The more we move, the better we feel. In 2022 a global study commissioned by sportswear company ASICS, The State of Mind Index, studied people’s physical activity levels and mental wellbeing across the globe. In their first Move Every Mind Report, not only did ASICS learn that physical activity has a powerful impact on our mental wellbeing, the study also uncovered a gender exercise gap. Women and girls often face unique barriers, from busy schedules to societal expectations, that limit their access to physical activity and movement. As a result, women and girls are more likely to miss out on the many benefits of an active lifestyle.
Following that report, ASICS commissioned the largest global study of its kind to learn more about the gender exercise gap. Leading researchers Dee Dlugonski, PhD and Brendon Stubbs, PhD worked together on the follow-up report, The ASICS Move Her Mind, surveying almost 25,000 people from 40 countries, including Canada, as well as data from 26 focus groups . This latest global research from ASICS reaffirms that the more women move, the better women feel.
We know the desire is there for women and girls to move more, to play more. In the latest version of the Canadian Women and Sport’s Rally Report while the gap on participation is closing, girls and women across Canada express wanting to be more active, feeling dissatisfied with their current levels of physical activity. This calls for a renewed focus on creating spaces and opportunities that empower women to move freely, prioritize their health, and experience the full benefits of physical and mental wellbeing.
What are the continued barriers preventing girls and women from being active?
We often use the terms physical activity, sport, movement, and exercise interchangeably, yet each carries distinct nuances. Movement was central to the ASICS Move Her Mind Study, emphasizing that “everyone should be able to find time to take part in some form of exercise.” While the study focused on exercise, individuals may define their engagement differently—some identifying as athletes who play sports, others prioritizing structured exercise, and many simply incorporating movement into daily life. Regardless of the label, all of these activities fall under the broader umbrella of physical activity, reinforcing the importance of creating inclusive opportunities for everyone to move in ways that feel right for them.
The researchers identified 5 major barriers preventing women from participating in physical activity, including:
- Competing commitments and limited time for physical activity.
- High costs associated with participation.
- Feelings of being unsafe or unwelcome in many physical activity spaces.
- Concerns about not feeling “fit” or “sporty” enough to engage in physical activity.
- Lack of access to necessary equipment or spaces for physical activity.
These barriers create a challenging cycle: low activity levels lead to lower self-efficacy and lower self-confidence, which further discourages women from starting or sustaining physical activity. Yet, despite these obstacles, progress is being made.
As we break down stereotypes and empower ourselves, we inspire those around us to embrace physical activity as well. Together, we’re creating a ripple effect, building a more inclusive environment where women can confidently pursue their health and fitness goals.
Actionable strategies to drive change for women and girls
While women continue to drive change, we need to do more. Here’s what we can do to break down these barriers:
- Make physical activity
movementmore accessible- Across the globe we’re seeing women’s only events like The Women’s Run in Dubai, which provided participants a welcoming space to show up wherever they were in their running journey. While here in Canada we might see Dubai and The United Arab Emirates as a conservative country where women and girls do not have a place to play and compete, attending the event, which was sponsored by ASICS, I saw firsthand how ASICS is driving change to create these women and girls only spaces and breaking down accessibility barriers. Closer to home in Toronto, Cory Freedman owns and operates the Toronto Women’s Run Series, a preeminent race series for women. Freedman and her team provide “inclusive and supportive races possible for every woman who wants to get out and set their own pace.”
- If you’re asking yourself what you can do? Think of ways in your community you can make physical activity more practical and welcoming, meeting women’s and girls’ needs.
- Make physical activity more inclusive
- When I attended the Petro Canada Coaching Association of Canada Sport Leadership Conference, former Sport and Physical Activity Minister, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, addressed attendees saying that sport in Canada needs to look like Canada. What she means is that every person, especially women and girls, need to see themselves in sport, because sport looks like them. We need to ask ‘who is not included? Who is not on the pathway to sport?’ We know that historically in Canada sport has been discriminatory and exclusionary. But we are now on a journey forward that intentionally creates programs and policies to see who is missing and how we can bring them into sport.
- Work by Fast and Female shows that when women and girls feel a sense of social belonging, they are more likely not only to engage with sport but to stay in sport. What we as sport leaders need to do is understand who is part of our teams so we support everyone showing up as their authentic selves. And, at the same time helping everyone to create that welcoming space so we have the courage to show up with both authenticity and vulnerability.
- Challenge gendered expectations about physical activity
- The more we move the better we feel, but we also know that gender stereotypes hold back women and girls from participating in physical activity. At the launch of the 2024 Canadian Women and Sport Rally Report, the young panelists from Layup, “a charity providing cost-free programs centered on the culture of basketball to develop the skills kids need on and off the court”, spoke about their challenges. Competitive basketball is a physical game, and the panelists shared that they had to give their male competitors permission to play with physicality before they were willing to. While these girls had the courage to do so, not all young girls can advocate for themselves and the gender stereotype they’re facing.
- As sport leaders we need to continuously observe and challenge stereotypes to empower girls and women to have the time, freedom, and support for all types of physical activity. Canadian Women and Sport offer Same Game, a toolkit to understand some of the gender bias in your organization and bring gender equity to life.
- Re-define what physical activity means
- We also need to change the narrative about what physical activity looks like; we need to empower women and girls to move in a way that brings them self-confidence to improve self-efficacy. One of the best ways we can do that is by being role models ourselves. For instance, sharing our personal journeys to include daily physical activity and the positive wellbeing effects. It’s that sharing that lifts up community.
- Additionally, as we challenge gendered roles and support redefining what movement means, we need to think about sharing in caring responsibilities, whether that’s caring for other family members or taking care of the home. Research through the pandemic demonstrated that more of these duties fell to women compared to men. We as role models can change that. To all the men I ask you to ask the women in your life what they might need to be more active. By asking how we can support each other, we open a door to redefine not only what movement means but redefining gendered expectations outside of physical activity.
Physical activity has many benefits
There are a variety of reasons why physical activity is important. In the same study women reported that physical activity helped women to: manage stress level, feel happy, create routine and structure, and improve their sleep quality. Instead of thinking about the cycle where lower activity levels lead to lower self-belief and self-confidence, we can all play a role in changing that narrative.
Together we can create a world where everyone, especially girls and women, benefit from increased physical activity levels, leading to higher self-belief and self-confidence. We can, and should, all be part of the solution, helping everyone move for their mind every day.