Gender considerations in physiology research: reshaping perspectives and practices.

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Health Sciences
• Sociology of Science

Background:

• Sex (biological attributes) and gender (psychosocial constructs) significantly impact health outcomes.
• Current physiology research often includes sex but lags in integrating gender into methodology and reporting.
• A gap exists in understanding and implementing gender as a variable in physiological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore barriers and strategies for incorporating gender-related variables into physiological research.
• To identify practical approaches for gender-inclusive research design and reporting.
• To empower physiologists in conducting rigorous and respectful gender-inclusive studies.

Main Methods:

• Thematic analysis of a gender symposium discussion at the 2024 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology conference.
• Focused on insights from four researchers integrating gender into their work.
• Analysis centered on barriers and strategies for gender incorporation.

Main Results:

• Four emergent themes: 1) Gender's importance and impact in research, 2) Value of community partnerships, 3) Methodological and reporting considerations for quantitative research, 4) Building competency in gender-inclusive research.
• Identified practical approaches for integrating gender as a research variable.
• Highlighted the need for inclusive, respectful, and rigorous research practices.

Conclusions:

• Findings offer actionable strategies to reshape perspectives on gender in physiology.
• The study provides a framework for incorporating gender as a variable in physiological research.
• Empowers researchers to adopt gender-inclusive methodologies and reporting standards.