Experiences and perspectives on pregnancy and motherhood in elite athletes - a qualitative study.

IF 3.3 2区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Pub Date : 2025-05-07 DOI:10.1080/26410397.2025.2501832

Marlene Zahl Marken, Emilie Frederikke Mass Dalhaug, Lone Friis Thing, Frank Eirik Abrahamsen, Kari Bø, Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Elite athletes routinely undertake strenuous training routines, which often involve high-intensity sessions. However, there are knowledge gaps in how they experience training during pregnancy and subsequent return to sport. Combined with inadequate financial and contractual safety, female athletes may jeopardise their careers when starting families. This study aimed to describe female athletes' experiences and perspectives related to pregnancy and motherhood within the context of elite sports in Norway. We interviewed five world-class athletes between October 2022 and April 2023, using a descriptive qualitative approach. Full interview transcripts were analysed based on a reflexive thematic analysis model. Five overarching themes were identified: (1) uncertainty, (2) lack of supportive networks, (3) physical capacity, (4) the impact of postpartum return to sports on maternal health, and (5) combining motherhood and elite sports. Our findings emphasise the challenges that Norwegian pregnant and postpartum athletes face in balancing motherhood with successful careers, highlighting the importance of providing adequate support systems to ensure their health and the well-being of their child.

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优秀运动员怀孕和母性的经验和观点——一项定性研究。

优秀运动员通常都要进行高强度的训练。然而，在她们如何在怀孕期间接受训练以及随后重返运动方面存在知识差距。再加上财务和合同安全方面的不足，女运动员在组建家庭时可能会危及她们的职业生涯。本研究旨在描述挪威精英体育背景下女运动员与怀孕和母性相关的经历和观点。我们在2022年10月至2023年4月期间使用描述性定性方法采访了五位世界级运动员。访谈全文基于反身性主题分析模型进行分析。确定了五个总体主题：(1)不确定性，(2)缺乏支持网络，(3)身体能力，(4)产后重返运动对孕产妇健康的影响，以及(5)将母性与精英运动结合起来。我们的研究结果强调了挪威怀孕和产后运动员在平衡母亲与成功事业方面面临的挑战，强调了提供足够的支持系统以确保其健康和孩子福祉的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Medicine-Obstetrics and Gynecology

CiteScore

4.00

自引率

8.30%

发文量

审稿时长

16 weeks

期刊介绍： SRHM is a multidisciplinary journal, welcoming submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including the social sciences and humanities, behavioural science, public health, human rights and law. The journal welcomes a range of methodological approaches, including qualitative and quantitative analyses such as policy analysis; mixed methods approaches to public health and health systems research; economic, political and historical analysis; and epidemiological work with a focus on SRHR. Key topics addressed in SRHM include (but are not limited to) abortion, family planning, contraception, female genital mutilation, HIV and other STIs, human papillomavirus (HPV), maternal health, SRHR in humanitarian settings, gender-based and other forms of interpersonal violence, young people, gender, sexuality, sexual rights and sexual pleasure.