Female athletes
- Submission status
- Open
- Submission deadline
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to:
SDG 5 - Gender equality.
Historically, females have been underrepresented in the field of sport science research and this has resulted in a significant knowledge gap with regards to our understanding of female physiology in the context of sports performance and exercise. Given that previous studies have been predominantly conducted with male participants, generalisability of previous research is restricted and has led to female athletes and their coaches not having the physiologically relevant scientific evidence to base training regimes upon. In addition, these issues are not restricted to only elite sport, with investigations focusing on the intersection of pregnancy and athletic performance, and the development and participation of young girls and adolescents in sport science being seemingly undervalued and disregarded.
Research in this field may include, but is not limited to, the influence of female-specific physiological factors on performance, sex-specific injury patterns and prevention strategies, mental health issues specific to female athletes, and the impact of pregnancy and motherhood on athletic performance. This Collection works at the intersection of the UN's SDG 5, to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and is launched in line with International Women's Day 2026.
