Out of 143 top-tier British athletes, over two-thirds stated that much of the gear they used wasn’t made with women in mind when answering a Sport questionnaire.
The fear that they could be harmed by the tools or facilities they use was expressed by less than 25% of respondents.
Concerns were raised about the women’s kit being essentially a men’s kit on a smaller scale, with no thought given to the differences in women’s physique. An additional issue was that certain apparel styles followed traditional gender roles, which made it challenging for female athletes to dress in them.
This problem is not new. More than 80% of female football players from elite European clubs reported experiencing regular discomfort from their footwear in a June 2023 poll. According to the study, most of the boots available on the market are made for white men, and more black athletes than white athletes report experiencing heel pain.
Sports scientists have previously drawn attention to the dearth of women’s football gear, stating that utilizing gear and balls intended for male players may increase their risk of injury.
