Research on women’s football: a scoping review
A summary of the research:
The article "Research on Women’s Football: A Scoping Review" aims to assess the current state of academic research on women’s football, focusing on the quantity, themes, and populations studied in peer-reviewed literature. The review covered 1,634 articles from 456 journals, spanning various disciplines such as sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and sociology. The results indicate that the majority of research has focused on sports medicine, particularly injuries, with elite and senior-level players being the most studied population. However, there are significant gaps, especially in research on younger age groups, recreational players, and underrepresented topics such as psychology, business, and media coverage.
The study highlights that although research on women’s football is growing, it lags significantly behind the amount of research conducted on men’s football. While peaks in publication numbers were observed around major events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the overall output remains low. The authors suggest that future research should prioritize filling gaps in underrepresented areas, with a focus on diversifying the populations studied and addressing key stakeholder needs. This scoping review serves as a foundational step in setting a research agenda for the next decade, aiming to advance the understanding and development of women's football.
Key Takeaways:
Injury research dominates: The majority of studies focus on sports medicine, specifically injuries in elite and senior-level players, while other themes like psychology, business, and media receive less attention.
Limited diversity in populations studied: Most research centers on elite, able-bodied senior players, with little focus on youth, recreational, or disabled players, indicating a need for broader representation.
Growth in research is still lagging: Despite an increase in studies over the years, research on women's football remains far behind men's football, both in quantity and thematic diversity.
Authors: Katherine Okholm Kryger, Albert Wang, Ritan Mehta, Franco M. Impellizzeri, Andrew Massey, and Andrew McCall.
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