Women in Sport

Women really can achieve great things in the world of sport! There have been many ^[1]memorable women in sport across the world over the years, for example:

• Serena Williams, an icon for women’s tennis, who won a remarkable 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
• Marta Vieira da Silva (known simply as Marta) a Brazilian footballer recognised as the best female footballer in the world multiple times.
• Ronda Rousey, the first woman to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
• Danica Patrick, a retired American racing driver who achieved significant success in the male-dominated sport of motorsports. She became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race.
• Simone Biles, an American gymnast who achieved unprecedented success in the sport. She has won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals and is known for her incredible athleticism and innovation.

In the UK, we have fantastic women in a number of sports from Dina Asher-Smith in athletics and Johanna Konta in tennis, through to Nicola Adams in Boxing and many more. All of whom have achieved great things.

Being a woman in sport can be a complex experience influenced by various factors such as cultural, and societal dynamics. While it is essential to recognise that women’s experiences in sport can vary widely, there are some common aspects and challenges that women may face such as the following:

Gender Inequality

^[2]Women in sport often encounter gender inequality in various forms. This can include disparities in funding, ^[3]media coverage, sponsorship opportunities, salaries, and resources compared to their male counterparts. Despite significant advancements, gender biases and stereotypes can still limit women’s visibility and recognition in the sporting world.

Limited Opportunities

^[4]Women may face limited opportunities to participate in sports at various levels, ranging from grassroots to elite competition. Barriers can arise due to cultural norms, lack of infrastructure, societal expectations, and insufficient support systems. These limitations can impact the development and advancement of women in sports.

Stereotypes and Bias

^[5]Stereotypes and biases can undermine women’s achievements and abilities in sports. Women athletes may be labelled as less skilled, less competitive, or less physically capable than men. These biases can affect how women are perceived, valued, and supported within the sporting community and can create additional challenges for women seeking recognition and respect for their athletic prowess.

Body Image and Expectations

^[6]Women in sport often face pressures related to body image and appearance. There may be societal expectations to conform to certain standards of femininity, which can sometimes conflict with the physical demands of sports. Body shaming, scrutiny, and unrealistic beauty ideals can impact self-esteem and create additional challenges for women athletes.

Empowerment and Role Modelling

Despite the challenges, women in sport can find empowerment, strength, and inspiration through their athletic pursuits. They become role models and symbols of resilience, breaking barriers, and challenging societal norms. By showcasing their skills and accomplishments, women in sport can inspire future generations.

Progress

It is important to note that while women face unique challenges in sport, they continue to make significant strides and achieve remarkable success in their respective fields.

Look at the success and recognition of the Lionesses since becoming the Euros 2022 winners! Not only did this final mark 50 years since the ban on women’s football was lifted back in 1971, which denoted the game as ‘quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged’, but it also brought together a nation in so many ways and encouraged a generation to believe that female sporting success is indeed possible and should be awarded in the same form as men.

The first four months of 2023 brought record TV viewership for women’s sport in the UK including football, rugby union and cricket, according to research by the ^[7]Women’s Sport Trust (WST).

The Tour de France reintroduced a women’s’ race in 2022. Over the years there have been various attempts to do this, each time failing mainly due to lack of media coverage and funding. Hopefully, with the increase in popularity of women’s sport, this time the women’s race will prove to be more successful.

Media, athletes, fans, and society as a whole, have a role to play in promoting inclusivity, equal opportunities, and fair treatment for women in sport.

Sportspeople Working a Personal Trainer

As a personal trainer, my role when working with sportspeople can vary depending on the specific needs and goals of the individual athlete. However, I usually start by evaluating the athlete’s current fitness levels, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness to establish a baseline and identify areas for improvement.

Based on the athlete’s goals, sport-specific requirements, and assessment results, I then design a tailored training program which typically includes exercises, workouts, and training techniques to enhance performance, address weaknesses, and minimise the risk of injuries.

Often, I will focus on developing an athlete’s strength, power, and overall conditioning by designing exercises and training regimens that improve muscular strength, explosive power, agility, speed, and endurance specific to the sport’s demands.

I continuously monitor and assess the athlete’s progress to ensure that the training program remains effective and aligned with their goals and make adjustments, modifications, and progressions to the program as needed to promote continuous improvement.

If you are in, or close to Whitehill and Bordon, and are looking to work with a Personal Trainer, get in touch

^[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/female-athletes-legacies-elevated

^[2] https://thesportjournal.org/article/examination-of-gender-equity-and-female-participation-in-sport/

^[3] https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/2021/03/24/womens-sports-gender-study-discrepancy

^[4] https://thesportjournal.org/article/examination-of-gender-equity-and-female-participation-in-sport/

^[5] https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/X2H-Xref-ViewHTML.asp?FileID=10812&lang=EN#

^[6] https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/female-athletes-body-image

^[7] https://www.womenssporttrust.com/

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