Development of the FIDES Athlete Development Program 'girls are not small boys': a digital educational intervention

To develop a sustainable and accessible educational programme on biopsychosocial female-specific topics, for young female athletes in organised sport, their parents and coaches for future testing and evaluation in a full-scale intervention study.

A digital educational programme, along with its methodology, was developed in four steps: First, content validity of female-specific topics was identified through (a) literature reviews by an interdisciplinary research team and (b) an online survey of 1323 female athletes (aged 16-24 years) assessing perceived knowledge and knowledge needs regarding biopsychosocial topics. Second, film scripts based on identified topics were written, internally reviewed and evaluated by a pilot group of six 13-16-year-old female athletes. Third, online surveys assessing main and secondary outcomes were developed and tested in the pilot group. Finally, digital format and production were developed collaboratively with a film scholar and film technicians.

The intervention development yielded 12 videos of 5-7 min, featuring sports science researchers and female elite athletes sharing their perspectives on biopsychosocial topics specific to women. The protocol development produced a quasi-experimental, modified staircase cluster trial design, including bi-weekly assessment of main (ie, well-being and sporting experiences) and secondary outcomes (eg, perceived support) at baseline, pre-, post-intervention and post-post follow-up.

This study outlines the development of a digital educational intervention for young female athletes, their parents and coaches, emphasising that interdisciplinary collaboration and user engagement are key to identifying intervention components and relevant outcomes.