Women's participation in exercise and sports from the perspective of sport scientists

The aim of the research is to understand the phenomenon of women's participation in exercise and sports from the perspective of sports scientists within the scope of "barriers" and "solution suggestions". In the study, phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was preferred. Nine (9) instructors who were determined according to maximum variation sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, voluntarily participated in the study. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher based on expert feedback. The data obtained in the study were analyzed by content analysis. According to sports scientists, the factors that prevent women from participating in exercise and sports are social and cultural factors (social perception and gender roles, family responsibilities, social pressure, patriarchal social structure), socio-economic factors (economic freedom, regional differences, facility opportunities, financial impossibilities, working hours, the role of the media) and individual factors (lack of knowledge and awareness, concern about physical appearance, lack of sports habits, biological factors). The suggested solutions to increase women's participation in exercise and sports are education and awareness-raising (transforming social perception, changing sexist perspectives, promoting sports in educational institutions), creating social support mechanisms (ensuring the support of the social environment, reinforcing women's solidarity), sports facilities and opportunities (creating areas for women, improving access and safety, low-cost or free facilities, improving facility equipment), incentives and motivation (linking the perception of beauty to exercise and sport, increasing the role of the media and rewarding achievements, increasing women's representation in sport), sports education and coaching (increasing the number of qualified coaches), and sports policy and governance (developing policies that support women's participation in sport).