SFISM research topic: Women and performance sport
The under-representation of women in the research system has resulted in a structural imbalance, both in the groups studied and in the research itself. Nuanced, gender-specific work is essential to providing effective support for women’s athletic performance.
There is a significant research gap on the topic of women and performance sport – and a pressing need for action to generate new knowledge in this neglected area. It is essential that female participants are included, or even used exclusively, as subjects in research projects. The SFISM is placing greater emphasis on understanding how female physiology affects athletic performance.
As long as women remain under-represented in the research system, a structural imbalance will persist, both in the groups studied and in the research itself. Research that takes gender differences into account is therefore a prerequisite for evidence-based and effective support for athletic performance.
Working group on women in performance sport
The SFISM has formed the Women in Performance Sport working group to ensure this issue is given the attention it deserves. It is committed to ensuring that women in performance sport can realise their potential through training and performance models tailored specifically to their needs. In close collaboration with numerous partner organisations from the worlds of sport and higher education, researchers at the SFISM conduct interdisciplinary and applied research on specific issues relating to female athletes.
Members of the working group
- Heynen Rahel, Strength section
- Hintermann Mirjam, Exercise Science section
- Hofmann Eva, Endurance section
- Kalberer Luzia, Sports Physiotherapy section, lead on this topic in the Performance Sport section and member of Swiss Olympic’s Women and Elite Sport project group
- Maystre Hélène, Game Sports section
- Oberson Marine, Exercise Science section
- Ruchti Erika, Endurance section
- Vollrath Sabrina, Medicine section
Resources
- Y+S learning modules: Addressing issues specific to women (de, fr, it), jugendundsport.ch
- Y+S learning modules: Support for girls and young women (de, fr, it), jugendundsport.ch
- The menstrual cycle in sport (de, fr, it) mobilesport.ch, 06 January 2026
- Strength training for female athletes: evidence-based approaches (de, fr, it), mobilesport.ch, 11 September 2025
- A strong pelvic floor in women (de, fr, it), mobilesport.ch, 26 February 2025
- Preventing ACL injuries in women (de, fr, it), mobilesport.ch, 11 December 2023
- Women and Elite Sport webinar (de), mobilesport.ch, 15 November 2021
- Let’s put an end to ‘You’re too fat, too thin, too heavy, too light...’ (de, fr), mobilesport.ch, 15 November 2021
- Understanding, effectively supporting and successfully coaching female athletes (de, fr, it), mobilesport.ch, 9 June 2021
Further reading
- Girls and young women in sport (de, fr, it), Youth+Sports
- Women and Elite Sport (de, fr), Swiss Olympic