Breaking the Pace: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health, Performance, and Equity in Female Runners

The gender gap in runners' event participation has narrowed over the last few years, with women representing 41% of marathoners in the USA in 2024. While this rising participation is encouraging from a physical activity and health perspective, scientific evidence regarding women in endurance sports remains far from ideal. Current data in sports science indicate that only 6% to 8% of available evidence specifically focuses on women. This underrepresentation is significant, considering the distinct differences in physiology, biomechanics, and performance compared to men. Furthermore, evidence shows that women are more prone to running-related injuries, experience slower recovery times, and face a higher prevalence of eating disorders.In addition, female-specific health factors—such as pelvic floor health, postpartum recovery, menstrual and gynecological health, and mental well-being—play a crucial role in shaping women's experiences in running and must be addressed. Beyond these biological aspects, women also face significant social, cultural, and time-related barriers that limit training and engagement, as well as persistent historical inequalities in access to competition and financial support.To move the field forward, this Research Topic aims to foster an interdisciplinary discussion on female runners, bringing together researchers from fields including sports science, sports medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, human behavior, and nutrition. We welcome contributions that address the specificities of the running context—whether on road, where standardized surfaces and race formats predominate, or on trail, where variable terrain, elevation, and ultra-distance demands introduce distinct physiological and psychological challenges—ranging from biomechanical and performance aspects to socio-cultural factors. This effort seeks to generate evidence that reflects the realities of female runners, supports tailored training strategies, and contributes to reducing gender disparities in research and practice.We welcome submissions on the following themes:Female-specific health in running: Menstrual cycle, gynecological health, pelvic floor function, pregnancy, and postpartum, and their implications for training and injury risk.Injury risk and recovery: Sex-specific mechanisms, prevalence, and prevention strategies in female runners.Nutrition and energy availability: Sex-specific needs, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), and eating disorders.Biomechanical and physiological differences: Implications for performance, fatigue, and adaptation to training.Mental health and well-being: Psychological demands, body image, and the impact of the sports environment.Social and cultural influences: Gender norms, safety concerns, time constraints, and barriers to participation.Sports environment and inequalities: Access to opportunities, representation, coaching, and financial support.Case studies and applied research: Evaluation of programs, interventions, or policies designed to support female runners. Topic editors: Mabliny Thuany, Gabriela Vasconcelos, Koulla Parpa, PhD., FHEA Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80695/breaking-the-pace-interdisciplinary-perspectives-on-health-performance-and-equity-in-female-runners