Methodological Considerations for Studies in Sport and Exercise Science with Women as Participants: A Working Guide for Standards of Practice for Research on Women

Abstract

Until recently, there has been less demand for and interest in female-specific sport and exercise science data. As a result, the vast majority of high-quality sport and exercise science data have been derived from studies with men as participants, which reduces the application of these data due to the known physiological differences between the sexes, specifically with regard to reproductive endocrinology. Furthermore, a shortage of specialist knowledge on female physiology in the sport science community, coupled with a reluctance to effectively adapt experimental designs to incorporate female-specific considerations, such as the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and the menopause, has slowed the pursuit of knowledge in this field of research. In addition, a lack of agreement on the terminology and methodological approaches (i.e., gold-standard techniques) used within this research area has further hindered the ability of researchers to adequately develop evidenced-based guidelines for female exercisers. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the specific considerations needed when employing women (i.e., from athletes to non-athletes) as participants in sport and exercise science-based research. These considerations relate to participant selection criteria and adaptations for experimental design and address the diversity and complexities associated with female reproductive endocrinology across the lifespan. This statement intends to promote an increase in the inclusion of women as participants in studies related to sport and exercise science and an enhanced execution of these studies resulting in more high-quality female-specific data.

Female (Under) Representation in Exercise Thermoregulation Research

“…A greater proportion of the articles that identified menstrual orientation also reported that the menstrual phase was controlled. This is a positive result as in controlling for phase, hormonal variability is reduced, and the effects of divergent hormonal concentrations can be examined at specific points in a cycle [48]. It should be noted that it is not always necessary to control the menstrual phase, for instance, when reproductive hormones Fig.…”

“…Recent methodological recommendations and guides to best practice aim to minimize this study heterogeneity and improve the quality of future research involving women [48,49]. For example, combining calendar counting with urinary ovulation tests and serial blood sampling [51] and tracking participants' menstrual cycle characteristics ≥2 months before testing improves the accuracy of phase identification [48]. Unfortunately, access to the necessary facilities, cost of analysis, and an extended data collection timeline may restrict adherence to this advice.…”

“…Unfortunately, access to the necessary facilities, cost of analysis, and an extended data collection timeline may restrict adherence to this advice. In the case of hormonal contraceptive users, different forms, types, and steroid concentrations, along with individual exogenous-endogenous hormone interactions, must also be considered [48,52]. The meticulous control measures and methodological considerations necessary to include women in thermoregulatory research and correctly control for menstrual phase may have deterred scientists from involving more women in their research over the past decade (Fig.…”

“…This practice does not serve to improve our knowledge on this topic where more evidence on the relationship between the reproductive and thermoregulatory systems is required. For a comprehensive inventory of study design considerations and guidelines for testing women with different hormonal profiles see Elliot-Sale and colleagues' work [48].…”

Which Body Density Equations Calculate Body Fat Percentage Better in Olympic Wrestlers?—Comparison Study with Air Displacement Plethysmography

“…(d) not pregnant; (e) no implanted medical devices. In addition, all female participants were tested during the mid-follicular phase (7-9 days of the menstrual cycle) to eliminate the effects of different phases on body composition and standardize the menstrual phase [27]. Menstrual cycle was calculated starting the first day of their period.…”