FIDES Athlete Development Programme: project background and study protocol of an embedded multiple case study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Female Athlete Health
• Biopsychosocial Factors in Sport

Background:

• Sports science research predominantly focuses on male athletes, creating a male-centric knowledge base.
• This male-centric approach may hinder optimal participation, development, and performance for female athletes.
• There's a need to address the unique biopsychosocial particularities of females in sports to improve their health and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the FIDES Athlete Development Programme, a 12-video educational intervention.
• The program aims to address female-specific subject matter in sports.
• To close the knowledge gap regarding female athletes' needs and improve their sporting experience and well-being.

Main Methods:

• Embedded multiple case study design involving at least 1320 Swedish female athletes aged 13-16.
• Randomized controlled trial: half the athletes receive the FIDES intervention, the other half serve as controls.
• Qualitative data collection through interviews and focus groups with athletes, parents, and coaches to understand intervention implications.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes measured are well-being and sporting experience.
• The study will provide insights into the effectiveness of the educational intervention for female athletes.
• Qualitative data will offer a deeper understanding of the intervention's impact on athletes, parents, and coaches.

Conclusions:

• The FIDES Athlete Development Programme has the potential to enhance the well-being and sporting experience of young female athletes.
• Addressing female-specific biopsychosocial factors is crucial for optimizing sports participation and development.
• This research contributes to closing the knowledge gap in sports science concerning female athletes.