Making competent decisions in sport and exercise science and sports medicine: Preliminary practical guidelines on sex and gender

Sport and exercise science, allied health and sports medicine (SAMS) professionals make daily decisions when designing research and implementing interventions. It is unclear, however, to what extent SAMS professionals consider clients' or research participants' intersectionality (social and political identities) within their approach. While the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines 1. Heidari S. Babor T.F. De Castro P. et al. Sex and gender equity in research: rationale for the SAGER guidelines and recommended use. Res Integr Peer Rev. 2016; 1https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-016-0007-6 Crossref Google Scholar increase researchers' awareness of sex and gender in research and provide a useful checklist, 2. Van Epps H. Astudillo O. Del Pozo M.Y. et al. The sex and gender equity in research (SAGER) guidelines: implementation and checklist development. European Science Editing. 2022; 48e86910https://doi.org/10.3897/ese.2022.e86910 Crossref Scopus (8) Google Scholar they lack clarity and practicality regarding when, how and why constructs of sex and/or gender should be addressed. Nor are we aware of practical guidelines helping SAMS professionals create welcoming environments. This may result in a lack of knowledge, skills and confidence to meaningfully engage with a client's sex and gender and avoid inaccurate research 3. Garcia-Sifuentes Y. Maney D.L. Reporting and misreporting of sex differences in the biological sciences. eLife. 2021; 10e70817https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.2021.e70817 Crossref Google Scholar and subsequent practice.