Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Insitute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Br J Sports Med. 2022 Apr;56(8):452-457. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104755. Epub 2022 Feb 8.
Athletes train and compete at the elite level during their reproductive years, yet sport policies that support pregnant athletes are lacking. The experiences of elite athletes during pregnancy are vastly under-represented, and such voices are needed to support evidence-informed policy. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of elite female athletes as they navigate pregnancy, and to identify sport policy considerations regarding participation during pregnancy.
Twenty athletes (mean age 35±5 years) who, within the last 5 years, had trained or competed at the elite level immediately prior to becoming pregnant were included. Data were generated via one-on-one semistructured interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through a process of content analysis.
The findings of this study are represented by one overarching message: mother versus athlete, and five main themes: (1) pregnancy planning and fertility, (2) pregnancy disclosure and discrimination, (3) training pregnant athletic bodies, (4) safety concerns, and (5) supportive network and equitable funding.
In-depth stories shared by participants highlight the many significant decisions athletes must make as they navigate pregnancy alongside elite sport participation. The shared experiences of pregnant athletes highlight clear challenges that should be considered in the development of sport policy and practices that are inclusive and supportive of female athletes.
运动员在生育年龄期间以精英水平进行训练和比赛，但支持孕妇运动员的体育政策却缺乏。怀孕运动员的经历在很大程度上没有得到充分体现，因此需要这些运动员的声音来支持基于证据的政策。因此，本定性研究的目的是描述精英女性运动员在怀孕期间的经历，并确定与怀孕期间参与相关的体育政策考虑因素。
本研究纳入了 20 名运动员（平均年龄 35±5 岁），她们在怀孕前的最近 5 年内曾以精英水平进行训练或比赛。通过一对一的半结构化访谈收集数据，访谈内容被录音、逐字转录，并通过内容分析的过程进行分析。
本研究的结果由一个总体信息和五个主题呈现：（1）怀孕计划和生育能力，（2）怀孕披露和歧视，（3）训练怀孕运动员的身体，（4）安全问题，以及（5）支持网络和公平资金。
参与者分享的深入故事强调了运动员在精英体育参与的同时必须做出的许多重要决定。怀孕运动员的共同经历突出了在制定包容和支持女性运动员的体育政策和实践时应考虑的明确挑战。
