Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the participation of females in sport, as well as professionalism of female sport.1 Sports and exercise medicine (SEM) literature has, however, failed to mirror this progress, as female athletes continue to be on the margins of methodological, th...

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Main Authors: Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon, Chibhabha, Fidelis, Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2022
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-104202
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4671
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author Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon
Chibhabha, Fidelis
Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele
author_facet Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon
Chibhabha, Fidelis
Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele
author_sort Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon
collection DSpace
description In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the participation of females in sport, as well as professionalism of female sport.1 Sports and exercise medicine (SEM) literature has, however, failed to mirror this progress, as female athletes continue to be on the margins of methodological, theoretical and empirical research.2 The absence of the female narrative in the scientific literature is even more pervasive for female athletes in Africa, which presents various challenges for athletes and clinicians. This editorial highlights the challenges associated with the scarcity of research on female African athletes. Much of the current scientific evidence on athletes fails to account for the intersection of gender, race, culture and economics3—factors which compound the difficulties faced by female athletes. In particular, the journey of the female African athlete is significantly influenced by the following: societal expectations, culturally driven perceptions, and (lack of) access to opportunities, sports infrastructure and financial support.4 As such, interventions that do not consider the intersection between biology and the …
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spelling ir-11408-46712022-06-27T13:49:06Z Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon Chibhabha, Fidelis Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele Sport Females In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the participation of females in sport, as well as professionalism of female sport.1 Sports and exercise medicine (SEM) literature has, however, failed to mirror this progress, as female athletes continue to be on the margins of methodological, theoretical and empirical research.2 The absence of the female narrative in the scientific literature is even more pervasive for female athletes in Africa, which presents various challenges for athletes and clinicians. This editorial highlights the challenges associated with the scarcity of research on female African athletes. Much of the current scientific evidence on athletes fails to account for the intersection of gender, race, culture and economics3—factors which compound the difficulties faced by female athletes. In particular, the journey of the female African athlete is significantly influenced by the following: societal expectations, culturally driven perceptions, and (lack of) access to opportunities, sports infrastructure and financial support.4 As such, interventions that do not consider the intersection between biology and the … 2022-03-08T12:59:51Z 2022-03-08T12:59:51Z 2021 Article 0306-3674 1473-0480 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-104202 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4671 en British Journal of Sports Medicine;Vol. 55; No. 21 open BMJ Publishing Group
spellingShingle Sport
Females
Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla Sharon
Chibhabha, Fidelis
Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele
Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title_full Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title_fullStr Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title_full_unstemmed Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title_short Out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female African athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
title_sort out of sight, out of mind: the invisibility of female african athletes in sports and exercise medicine research
topic Sport
Females
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-104202
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4671
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