Female Coaches in Strength and Conditioning—Why So Few?

Abstract

A substantial issue in sporting professions today, including elite strength and conditioning is gender imbalance. Attitudes towards women's roles are complex and institutionally entrenched, contributing to barriers to women's success. While real issues still exist for today's elite female strength and conditioners, murmurings of change are audible. Further research on why gender imbalance in strength and conditioning matters as well as the creation of a culture where women feel included and wanted is part of the solution. This research focuses on women leaders in strength and conditioning, their experiences, the barriers they perceive and their ways of overcoming them.

The Effect of Coach Gender on Competitive Weightlifting Performance for Men and Women Weightlifters

“…The findings from this study could impact weightlifting coaches and athletes, especially women participants, by determining if the gender of the coach affects athlete performance. Results from this study will also have implications for scholars who attempt to better understand psychological factors affecting women’s experiences within sport (e.g., Allison and Butler, 1984 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). Further, results will help confirm if there is a gender imbalance among competitive weightlifting coaches, which could affect the gender of coaches that athletic departments and other sport organizations hire.…”

“…Strength and conditioning coaches are responsible for improving athletic performance through physical and mental training ( Powers, 2008 ). Recently, the presence and roles of strength and conditioning coaches have increased, especially within collegiate athletics ( Powers, 2008 ); however, there is a significant gender imbalance among strength coaches, leaving women largely underrepresented as strength and conditioning coaches ( Massey and Vincent, 2013 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). With sports and strength training historically being dominated by men, women strength coaches face barriers of traditional gender roles and societal disapproval ( Holloway and Baechle, 1990 ; Magnusen and Rhea, 2009 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ).…”

“…Recently, the presence and roles of strength and conditioning coaches have increased, especially within collegiate athletics ( Powers, 2008 ); however, there is a significant gender imbalance among strength coaches, leaving women largely underrepresented as strength and conditioning coaches ( Massey and Vincent, 2013 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). With sports and strength training historically being dominated by men, women strength coaches face barriers of traditional gender roles and societal disapproval ( Holloway and Baechle, 1990 ; Magnusen and Rhea, 2009 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). Further, while it is common for men strength coaches to train both men and women athletes, women strength coaches typically work only with women athletes and rarely with men athletes ( Magnusen and Rhea, 2009 ; Massey and Vincent, 2013 ).…”

“…Therefore, it is important to have strength coaches from a variety of backgrounds to assist in all aspects of training and competition. While strength coaches come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse experiences ( Powers, 2008 ), there remains a gender imbalance among weightlifting coaches ( O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). However, little research has been conducted on the direct effects of strength and conditioning coaches on athletes, especially as it pertains to gender differences.…”

“…Therefore, although Holloway and Baechle (1990) concluded that no evidence indicates that men and women should physically train differently, training programs should be tailored to the individual, including how coaches mentally prepare their athletes. Because mental state can impact physical performance and women have greater social challenges in sport than men, women likely experience greater psychological struggles than men that impact their performance, especially in a sport like competitive weightlifting ( Abrahamsen et al, 2008 ; Judge et al, 2016 ; O’Malley and Greenwood, 2018 ). There is evidence that same-gendered coaches and athletes have better coach-athlete relationships ( Jowett and Nezlek, 2012 ); therefore, it is likely that when women competitive weightlifters have women coaches whom experience similar social conflicts, women competitive weightlifters’ mental preparation could improve, thus improving physical performance as well.…”