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A global study by sportswear company ASICS discovered startling barriers women face during exercise. Released earlier this year, the study was the largest of its kind with data from nearly 25,000 participants across 40 countries. It found that more than half of women globally drop out or stop exercising completely. A major contributing factor was that women often have less time to work out than men.
As recently reported in the New York Times, “experts say this exercise gender gap has a lot to do with the disproportionate amount of time and labor women devote to caring for the home and for others. It’s also consistent with research suggesting that, on the whole, women tend to prioritize other people’s health above their own.”
The study was led by Dr. Dee Dlugonski, Assistant Professor at Sports Medicine Research Institute, University of Kentucky, and Associate Professor Brendon Stubbs of King’s College London. It shows that all women experience barriers to exercise throughout their lifetime, from time pressures (74%) and low self-confidence (35%) to intimidating environments (44%) or not feeling sporty enough (42%).
“Our study showed that the gender exercise gap is a complex challenge which did not develop overnight. Given it has no sole cause, it will not be solved with one single solution, but when asked what could help, women noted that making the movement more accessible, inclusive and recognized in all forms while challenging society’s gendered expectations would support them in moving more,” said Dlugonski.
“This includes making exercise centered around women and their needs. From providing childcare and catering for all activity levels, to fitting around work, being fun, affordable, safe, welcoming and judgement-free. All these solutions, while small, can have a significant impact and our study uncovered thousands of individuals and organizations around the world who are already driving change.”
Researchers noted that the gender gap starts in childhood and gets harder to close as women age. Trends in the study include:
- Globally 51% of women reported decreasing or stopping exercise as they aged. However, baby boomers happen to be the most active and Gen Z the least.
- Physical activities have a positive impact on all aspects of mental wellbeing including composure, resilience, positivity, contentment, relaxation, confidence, alertness, calmness, focus and energy.
- Almost two-thirds of mothers in this global study cited motherhood as the primary reason they dropped out of doing regular exercise.
- In the study, 74% of women cited lack of time as a main barrier to exercise, while only 34% of men thought of time as a barrier for women. “This mismatched perception and reality was an uncomfortable finding for me, both as a researcher on this study and as a man trying to be an ally for women,” said Stubbs.
- Safety is still a huge global barrier to women in exercise. 47% of American women cited “lack of safe spaces” as a barrier to exercising routinely in the ASICS study.
- Mainstream media’s representation of exercise is negatively affecting exercise rates for women. 42% of women mentioned “not feeling fit or sporty enough” as a barrier to exercise; 36% cited “feeling intimidated,” and 19% mentioned “not seeing people like me.”
- The study reported that 36 percent of women said a female friend encouraged them to take up exercise or a sport in their childhood. Younger women (ages 18-31) were twice as likely to name their parents as exercise role models.
Sources: RUN, New York Times
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