Editorial: Coaching Female Athletes

Khatija Bahdur^1*Tihana Nemcic Bojic²Fraser Carson^1*

• ¹Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Lunex University, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
• ²Sveuciliste u Zagrebu Kinezioloski fakultet, Zagreb, Croatia

The participation of female athletes at high performance levels is increasing. This has enhanced opportunities for competition in professional leagues and has resulted in higher standards of national team competitions across numerous sporting codes [1]. However, a disproportionate volume of research in sports tends to overtly focus on males and these results are applied (often incorrectly) to female athletes [2]. Biological, psychological, emotional and social differences exist, and when combined with the environmental, infrastructure, and resource differences within female sports, there is a need to create female-specific knowledge for coaches. Contemporary research suggests that many studies within the domain of female athletes were conducted with the bias of looking through a gendered lens and using research to reinforce existing gender norms. Emerging critiques around existing sport science literature which tends to reinforce traditional social constructs with female athletes seen as fragile, needing care, and nurturing. The concept of females being unable to take criticism, or being too emotional or fragile, and physically not being aggressive enough, and cannot handle coaching methodologies that are usually associated with men's teams, has resulted in the conclusion that sometimes coaches in women's sport 'hold back'. The reference for female athletes is also that they are different and the nature of coaching them is challenging [3]. These negative stereotypes in fact are likely to impair the progress of female athletes [4]. As women's sports grow, structural and cultural shifts occur which may result in changing expectations [5]. Many previous studies were conducted in an environment in which, regardless of participation level, pathways to professionalism for female athletes were minimal. Even within elite female sports, athletes often lack access to resources and the developmental background of their elite male counterparts [6]. Currently, this is changing in some countries and sports. Despite higher competition levels and more women pursuing high-level sports opportunities, a persistent societal misconception remains that females in sports are driven primarily by social engagement rather than competition and performance [5]. It remains to be seen how the expectations and requirements for the now increasing number of professional female players will impact coaching methodologies [7]. In this Research topic, we focused on "Coaching female athletes", with 12 published research articles which fit within the broader themes of i) Health and Physiology, ii) Performance Optimisation and Monitoring, iii) Coaching, Leadership and Support Systems and iv) Athlete Wellbeing and Long-Term Development. In the health and physiology theme, Jones et al. [8] highlighted the complexities associated with female reproductive health and performance in a longitudinal study with elite British track and field athletes. These athletes perceived an inferior performance when oestrogen and progesterone levels are low. The authors advocate for more support for athletes and individual strategies to be utilized to optimise athlete health and performance. Roffler et al. [9] noted that menstrual cycle symptoms vary widely within the same team and by tracking symptoms an individualised healthcare and management approach can used to help coaches adjust training load. While Vardadottir et al. [10] demonstrated that repeated patterns of low energy availability and low carbohydrate intake increased the risk of relative energy deficiency (REDs) for female athletes. In relation to the performance optimisation and monitoring theme, aiming to help coaches and sport scientists predict performance development in young female athlete, Romann et al. [11] focused on the development of a new analysis method to improve reliability and provide a predictive model for future performance, which can help coaches individualise training programs. Stojiljković et al. [12] created a valid and reliable tool to assess drop jump performance interlimb asymmetry in young female basketball players. The My Jump 2 app is low-cost and easy for coaches to use to improve and monitor jumping performance. Sammound et al. [13] hypothesized that backward running as a training method would have greater physical fitness benefits than forward running for young female handball players. Their findings suggest that improved performance may come from a combination of both. Adding important information to help profile the physical performance attributes of elite female handball players, an area that has been largely overlooked in the literature, Radovic et al.'s [14] results related to eccentric performance characteristics can be used by coaches to guide structured training programs focused on lower-body strength and power. Looking at coaching, leadership and support systems, Mashil & Kubayi [15] investigated the coach-athlete dyadic relationship for South African school athletes and how important trust was within the partnership. They conclude that coaches need to promote fairness in all aspects of their coaching and individualise encouragement and support. In our study [16], we explored the intense, tournament environment and how a coach navigated the additional pressures and time constraints to build a team. Individual feedback sessions and empowerment of the female athletes was important for the coach and influential in building a trusting relationship. While focusing on how to increase Saudi Arabian female participation in sport, Alruwaili [17] identified that a transformational leadership style, with emphasis on inspirational motivation, as an effective means to engage more female in physical activity and breakdown socio-cultural barriers that exist. The final two studies focused on athlete wellbeing and long-term development. Zach et al. [18] tackled the difficult topic of sexual harassment among athletes and highlighted the differences in perceptions and interpretations of sexual harassment. The authors reinforce the need for improved education and awareness to promote a safer culture in sport and encourage sport organisations to create better defined policies and a zero-tolerance approach. Ehnold et al. [19] investigated the engagement with off-field education programs for female soccer players in Germany. Even as the professional game grows for female soccer players, over 90% of the players were actively engaged in academic or vocational education. It is known that commitment to other activities outside of the sporting environment can help develop different identities for athletes, which is important for long-term development. The 12 manuscripts in this research topic provide valuable insights to the developing literature on coaching female athletes. Interestingly, there appears to be little difference in the barriers that are faced by females wishing to participate in sport globally. Despite more attention to female sport, access to facilities, resources and quality support remain limited. From a coaching perspective, female athletes are different to males, and we are only just beginning to build the research base to show how females can be coached most effectively. An athlete-centered approach to coaching is crucial, with a positive coach-athlete relationship appearing more important for female athletes than males. As such, coaches are encouraged to develop their relational skill and ensure individualisation for each athlete they engage with. This individualisation is important for all areas of female athlete performance including training load, athletic development, support, health and wellbeing.