Returning to sport after pregnancy: A qualitative study of elite female athletes in the UK

Abstract

Background: Returning to sport postpartum is becoming increasingly common for elite athletes. While policies to support women during this period are emerging, this remains an area of limited research. To date the lived postpartum experience of UK elite athletes as they returned to sport has not been explored. Methods: This qualitative study collated the experiences of 11 women via online interviews. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were generated from the data: 1) navigating the mother-athlete identity 2) personal support and inspiration and 3) systemic supports. Athletes must navigate their return to sport, both in terms of their changed identity and practical challenges associated with having a child. Seeing other women navigate this journey provided encouragement to athletes that they could do this. Findings also illustrated the role of the athletes’ own sports community and wider organisations. Access to specific supports such as timelines for return to sport and nutritional advice positively impacted the athlete’s postpartum return to sport, as did access to maternity leave policies which protected funding during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Conclusions: Moving forward, carrying out high-quality research to inform guidelines for elite athletes return to sport and developing national level maternity leave polices need to be seen as urgent priorities. This is to ensure that elite athletes are properly supported during the postpartum period and can resume their careers.