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

Mkumbuzi, Nonhlanhla S.; Chibhabha, Fidelis; Zondi, Phathokuhle Cele

doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-104202

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Further, it is known that women experience a lack of solicitations from editors to publish, bias in being displayed as a first or senior author when citing their work,15 41 42 and lower financial compensation in academia compared with men 43. Particularly in sports science, studies have shown an under-representation of women as authors (eg, lead, senior), research participants, conference speakers, editors (eg, leaders, advisors) and in leadership positions, which reflects a wider gender disparity within the field 10 20–23. As observed in the current study, the under-representation of women in academia has also been observed in high-income countries, particularly those presumed to be more diverse and inclusive 44.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

“…In addition, editors have the power to select future editors or restructure the current editorial board 3 4. Therefore, under-representation of women and other minority groups (eg, persons of colour, Global South, low-income and middle-income countries) in leadership positions may eventually lead to the continuation of white, male and US dominance in research 20 21 66 67. Therefore, lack of diversity and inclusivity on editorial boards may potentially continue for years, further perpetuating the power imbalances in the field 3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, studies have reported the under-representation of women as authors, reviewers, editorial board members and editors-in-chief in leading medical journals 16–19. Particularly in sports science, studies have shown under-representation of women as authors, conference speakers, research participants and in leadership positions, which reflects a wide gender disparity within the field 10 20–23…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Where are female editors from low-income and middle-income countries? A comprehensive assessment of gender, geographical distribution and country’s income group of editorial boards of top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals

Memon¹,

Ahmed

Ghaffar

et al. 2022

Br J Sports Med

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ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the gender, geographical region and income group of the country of affiliation for editorial leadership (eg, editor-in-chief, section editor, associate editor) and advisors (eg, editorial board members) in top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals.MethodsA list of Scopus indexed, Q1 (25% top) rehabilitation and sports science journals, available under four different journal categories, was prepared based on the data from the Scientific Journal Rankings (SJR) website. The information for editorial leadership and advisors for these journals was obtained and their gender was determined through a multistep process. The country of affiliation of editorial leadership and advisors was used to categorise them to World Bank’s different geographical regions and income groups (for countries).ResultsThere were 7248 editors (35.7% leadership and 64.3% advisors) across 113 rehabilitation and sports science journals. Of all editors, 1792 (24.7%) were women. Women represented 24.5% of editorial leadership positions, 24.8% of advisory roles and 10.4% of editors-in-chief. Editors from South Asia (0.5%) and sub-Saharan Africa (0.6%) had the least representation, while those affiliated with institutions from high-income countries represented 93.5% of leadership roles and 93.1% of advisory positions. Moreover, editors affiliated with institutions from North America occupied almost half of all editorial roles.ConclusionsWomen and researchers affiliated with institutions from low-income and middle-income countries are under-represented on the editorial boards of top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals indexed in the Scopus database. Editors are responsible for promoting research in their specific field, and therefore, the current leadership in rehabilitation and sports science journals should consider diversifying their editorial boards by providing equitable opportunities to women and researchers from a broader geographical distribution.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Where are female editors from low-income and middle-income countries? A comprehensive assessment of gender, geographical distribution and country’s income group of editorial boards of top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals

Memon¹,

Ahmed

Ghaffar

et al. 2022

Br J Sports Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…It is important to hear directly from diverse groups of athletes—especially from under resourced settings such as Sub-Saharan Africa26—and to integrate their voices into sport safeguarding policies, programmes and interventions. Based on this study, the scope of abuse may need to be expanded to better address financial exploitation, disability stigma and neglect—which may be priorities for some athletes who have disabilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Para athletes’ perceptions of abuse: a qualitative study across three lower resourced countries

et al. 2022

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ObjectivesInterpersonal violence is an increasingly recognised risk of sport participation and causally linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Para athletes from low- and middle-income countries may be at highest risk of physical, psychological, sexual and neglect-related violence due to various factors; however, their perceptions of these abusive behaviours are unknown. This study examined the perceptions and experiences of abuse in para athletes from three lower resourced countries: Ghana, India and Brazil.MethodsQualitative data from semistructured focus group interviews conducted with 26 individuals were collected to explore characteristics of abuse observed, navigated and experienced by para athletes. The framework method for multidisciplinary qualitative research guided data analysis.ResultsAthletes identified a wide range of abusive behaviours they experienced within and outside of sport, including psychological, emotional, physical, sexual and neglect-related violence, which operated on both interpersonal and systemic levels. Most athletes described three less easily recognised forms of abuse in greater detail and more frequently than others: financial abuse, neglect and disability stigma.ConclusionIt is important to hear directly from athletes with diverse experiences and backgrounds and to integrate their insights and priorities into sport safeguarding policies, programmes and interventions. Understanding the requirements and challenges of para athletes and para sport is needed to achieve safe, equitable and inclusive sport. As new insights from diverse sport settings are added to the evidence base, globally balanced, athlete-generated and locally relevant preventative strategies can better protect all athletes.

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“…Sports physiotherapy congresses need to do more to promote inclusion, with strategies such as different registration rates for clinicians from LMICs, and inclusive panels not just based on gender but intentionally including speakers from marginalised groups. Sports physiotherapists should provide leadership to create a healthier world, where access to high-quality healthcare, sport and exercise facilities, and enablement of physical activity is not just for the privileged 10. We also have a responsibility to do our part in addressing the big challenges facing humanity, including the global health problems created by climate change, future pandemics and NCDs.…”

Section: Our Priorities For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

Sports physiotherapists’ contribution to the sports and exercise medicine team: moving forward, together

et al. 2022

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

Cited by 14 publications

References 3 publications

Where are female editors from low-income and middle-income countries? A comprehensive assessment of gender, geographical distribution and country’s income group of editorial boards of top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals

Where are female editors from low-income and middle-income countries? A comprehensive assessment of gender, geographical distribution and country’s income group of editorial boards of top-ranked rehabilitation and sports science journals

Para athletes’ perceptions of abuse: a qualitative study across three lower resourced countries

Sports physiotherapists’ contribution to the sports and exercise medicine team: moving forward, together

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