Mid Sweden University

Background: In the last decade, a growing body of research has focused on the many aspects and challenges of combining parenthood with elite sport. Although the number of father-athletes is significantly higher than the number of mother-athletes, few studies to date have focused on male athletes’ experiences in a parenting context. Aim: The aims of the present study were to explore how father-athlete challenges manifest among elite Nordic skiers in Norway, and to better understand how male athletes balance their priorities as they initiate, maintain, and/or discontinue their athletic career as a father-athlete. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 world-class male Nordic skiers in Norway (3 athletes without a child, 4 current father-athletes and 3 former father-athletes) and the content was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four main stages were identified in the father-athlete transition: (a) Expecting incompatibility (b) Taking the step, (c), The first blow, and (d) Finding the optimal balance. Through these stages the informants expected/had experienced challenges such as performance decline, disturbed sleeping patterns, fear of sickness and role conflicts. To manage these challenges, the father-athletes had developed various strategies to balance their dual roles (e.g., adapting training and competition seasons). Among the benefits, the father-athletes mentioned that they had become more structured, time efficient and ruthless with their priorities, enhanced motivation to train and a better work-life balance. Conclusion: This study offers valuable insights into father-athlete challenges that can be used to support career longevity and work-life balance among male athletes. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently published a framework on fairness, inclusion, and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations. Although we appreciate the IOC's recognition of the role of sports science and medicine in policy development, we disagree with the assertion that the IOC framework is consistent with existing scientific and medical evidence and question its recommendations for implementation. Testosterone exposure during male development results in physical differences between male and female bodies; this process underpins male athletic advantage in muscle mass, strength and power, and endurance and aerobic capacity. The IOC's “no presumption of advantage” principle disregards this reality. Studies show that transgender women (male-born individuals who identify as women) with suppressed testosterone retain muscle mass, strength, and other physical advantages compared to females; male performance advantage cannot be eliminated with testosterone suppression. The IOC's concept of “meaningful competition” is flawed because fairness of category does not hinge on closely matched performances. The female category ensures fair competition for female athletes by excluding male advantages. Case-by-case testing for transgender women may lead to stigmatization and cannot be robustly managed in practice. We argue that eligibility criteria for female competition must consider male development rather than relying on current testosterone levels. Female athletes should be recognized as the key stakeholders in the consultation and decision-making processes. We urge the IOC to reevaluate the recommendations of their Framework to include a comprehensive understanding of the biological advantages of male development to ensure fairness and safety in female sports. 

Challenges facing mother-athletes (MAs) have aroused research and media attention in recent years, with an increasing number of sportswomen attempting to successfully combine pregnancy and motherhood with an elite athletic career. The aims of this study were to explore how MA-specific challenges manifest in elite cross-country skiing in Scandinavia and to better understand how female athletes balance their priorities as they initiate, maintain, and/or discontinue their role as a MA. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with 13 female cross-country skiers from Norway and Sweden. Thematic analyses revealed four MA-specific challenges facing the athletes: (a) Biological clock versus peak performance, (b) Maintaining fitness versus training safely, (c) Receiving support versus facing deselection, and (d) Balancing competing MA demands. Many of the athletes felt pressured into prioritizing either motherhood or athletic excellence, particularly in their early to mid-30s when the window of opportunity for building a family was considered limited. Further, maintaining fitness and training safely during pregnancy were perceived as a challenge, as was balancing the MA role after childbirth. In many cases, athletes felt uncertain about whether they would receive support from their team or federation. Moreover, there were expectations of incompatibility surrounding the MA role. More research and educational efforts to promote MA-specific knowledge, as well as developing structured processes and providing policies to support female athletes, are identified as vital future steps. These measures may prolong athletic careers and enhance well-being for elite female athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Data primarily derived from summer sports show that sex differences in endurance performance are around 10–15% and these differences are explained primarily by differences in body size and composition and higher haemoglobin concentrations in men (Sandbakk et al., 2018). The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive literature review of the documented sex differences in performance and performance-determining factors in the winter Olympic endurance skiing sports of cross-country skiing (XCS), biathlon (BIA) and Nordic combined (NC).

METHODS: Article databases of the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), ScienceDirect and SPORTDiscus were searched using the search terms (gender OR sex differences AND [cross country skiing OR biathlon OR nordic combined]). Additional relevant literature was obtained from the reference lists of the published papers. An expert panel of seven researchers with published studies involving at least one of the included sports were also invited to suggest additional articles that could be considered for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were: 1) direct sex comparisons in one or more of the included sports and 2) competitive athletes > 15 years old. A total of 45 articles were identified for inclusion.

RESULTS: Elite men ski 9–16% faster than performance-matched women during XCS and BIA competitions. These sex differences are typically larger in uphill terrain and smaller in downhill terrain. No studies have investigated performance differences between women and men in NC, although an analysis of the 2021 World Championships showed that the top 3 women skied ~ 14% slower over 5 km than the men skied over 10 km. These sex differences in skiing performance coincide with differences in body composition (i.e., more muscle mass in men, especially in the upper body) and aerobic capacity (i.e., higher lactate thresholds and VO2max in men), which impact upon sub-technique use and cycle length. Despite the higher relative mass of the rifle for women compared with men in BIA, no sex differences were associated with skiing with versus without the rifle.

DISCUSSION: Sex differences in endurance skiing performance are comparable to those reported for summer endurance sports. However, the varying terrain, use of multiple sub-techniques and significant contributions from the upper and lower body impose unique demands on endurance skiers and influence sex differences. Further, women have historically competed over shorter distances than men in skiing, so true sex differences are likely to be underestimated.

REFERENCES:

Sandbakk et al., 2018. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 13: 2–8

INTRODUCTION: Athletes may suffer from mental illnesses, eating disorders, low energy availability and/or hormonal symptoms (1-3), all of which negatively affect health and performance. Knowledge about these issues is limited among coaches and athletes, which makes attempts to solve problems difficult. Education is recommended to increase the willingness of athletes and coaches to communicate about sensitive or “taboo” topics (4), but information about how best to educate these individuals is limited. The overall aim of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate a programme of education using an action research approach (5). This paper critically discusses the application of action research when seeking to develop such education programmes.

METHODS: Action research is the process of using collaborative work to create change to address meaningful substantive issues. It involves the use of systematic enquiry to introduce and evaluate change, whilst also generating new knowledge in relation to that change. Initial insights into the education needs of the participants (32 female and male junior cross-country skiers and their 2 female and 2 male coaches) were gained by the lead author through observations, informal conversations, and a survey. Further data was then collected using a reflective journal, informal conversations, feedback, focus groups and mind-mapping. A series of educational presentations were developed and shared with the participants throughout the data collection process.

RESULTS: Initial results from this study demonstrate that action research is beneficial for supporting the development of an education programme where athletes, coaches and researchers work closely together to co-create and evaluate specific content. In this sports performance setting, the education programme was effective at increasing knowledge and communication between athletes and coaches regarding a range of sensitive topics, which have typically been considered “taboo”.

DISCUSSION: Action research is useful for developing education programmes pertaining to sensitive or “taboo” issues, thereby facilitating increased knowledge, communication and problem-solving opportunities among athletes and coaches.

 REFERENCES: 

1.    Gouttebarge, V. et al. 2019 Br. J. Sports Med

2.    Logue, D. et al. 2018 Sports Med

3.    Solli, G.S. et al. 2020 Int. J. Sports Phys. Perf.

4.    Höök, M. et al. 2021 Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health

5.    Macisaac, D. & Bodner, G.M., 1999 Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin

Aim To identify how riding rein direction (left and right) and rider asymmetry affect tölt performance in Icelandic horses. Methods Two horses were ridden in tölt by four riders on both left and right reins. Riders wore pressure insoles that measured the total absolute force (FAbs) and absolute force difference (FDiff) in their left and right feet in the stirrups. A 3D motion-analysis system recorded the degrees of side-to-side movement in the pelvis (RollP) and in the thoracolumbar region (RollT). Lateral advanced placement (LAP) and duty factor (DF) were calculated to determine tölt performance. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess the effect of rein direction on rider asymmetry variables (FAbs, FDiff, RollP and RollT) and tölt performance (LAP, DF) on a group level (n = 8). Within-subject Spearman rank correlations (ρ) were computed to determine the effect of rider asymmetry variables on tölt performance on an individual level. Results LAP was closer to 25% on the left rein compared to the right rein (mean difference: 1.8 ±1.2%; F(1,7) = 16.333; p = 0.005, η2p = 0.700). In addition, DF was lower on the left rein compared to the right rein (mean difference: 1.9±0.8%; F(1,7) = 41.299; p<0.001, η2p = 0.855). Individual relationships between RollT and LAP ranged from small negative to very large positive and reached significance for one rider (ρ = 0.730; p = 0.040). Individual relationships between RollP and DF ranged from very large negative to very large positive and reached significance for two riders (ρ = 0.731; p = 0.040; ρ = -0.723 p = 0.043). Conclusion Rein direction might influence tölt performance. Individual relationships between rider asymmetry and tölt performance were highly variable and reached significance in some instances, indicating that the relationship between rider asymmetry and tölt performance is highly individual. This type of biomechanical data can be used to provide valuable feedback to guide equestrians and coaches.