Kit and body image issues affect girls’ participation in sports, according to new study

Gendered sports kits – such as skirts – play a major role in teenage girls dropping out of sport, according to research recently published in the peer reviewed journal Sport, Education and Society and highlighted in BBC Sport. The research, based on responses from more than 400 women, has already led to the adoption of new inclusive playing kit regulations by England Hockey. Study author, Tess Howard, claimed the findings highlight “the most underrated cause of low female sport numbers”, and referred to them as “truly alarming”.  In her view, “the data shows simply expanding sports kit flexibility and choice increases comfort in sport and the likelihood of long-term participation.” To read the full article, Click Here.