Scoping Review

Barry Murphy
Jan 27
2 min read

Updated: May 7

First Collaborative Study by míde Research Highlights Opportunities for Women in Sport Research on the Island of Ireland

We are thrilled to share the very first piece of work completed by míde, our research group dedicated to advancing women and girls’ participation, performance, and health through and in sport, exercise and physical activity on the island of Ireland. This foundational study is a vital step in understanding the work that has already been done and charting a course for where we need to go next. By examining not only the topics covered but also the methods used, we can ensure future research is of the highest quality and has the greatest possible impact.

Women remain under-represented in many areas of sport, whether as athletes, leaders, or research participants. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review that systematically gathered and analysed all available research about women in sport on the island of Ireland, spanning up to December 2024.

Our review included 274 studies, revealing a significant growth in research over the last five years—58% of studies were published between 2019 and 2024. These studies explored five main topics:

Injury (86 studies)
Sport Performance (72 studies)
Sport, Health, and Wellbeing (65 studies)
Society and Culture (38 studies)
Coaching and Professional Practice (13 studies)

While this increase in research is promising, we also uncovered important trends that highlight areas for improvement. Many studies relied on cross-sectional designs and quantitative methods, often taking a single-discipline approach. Additionally, reporting on sex and gender was inconsistent, limiting the ability to draw clear conclusions.

This review doesn’t just shine a light on the state of research about women in sport on the island of Ireland—it offers valuable insights for researchers everywhere. By addressing these gaps and building on this foundation, we can create better opportunities and experiences for women in sport, both locally and globally.

The work míde has started with this study is just the beginning. Together, we can ensure the research that follows is more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful. Join us in celebrating this milestone and looking forward to what’s next for women in sport research!

Download the report here which includes infographics outlining the study's main findings:

Read the full article for free here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211266925000180?via%3Dihub