Physical activity, exercise and sport participation in trans people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physical activity, exercise and sport participation in trans people: A qualitative study
IRAS ID
179989
Contact name
Bethany Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Trans women are those who were assigned male at birth on the basis of genital appearance but who later identify themselves as female and trans men are those who were assigned female at birth based on their genital appearance but identify as male. Some trans people seek sexual reassignment treatments to be congruent with their gender identity. In 2004, the Olympic Committee decided that athletes that had undergone Sexual Reassignment Surgery would be permitted to compete in all future Olympic Games. Despite this, many trans people still experience an unwelcoming and hostile environment when participating in sport activities; which may decrease participation. Within cisgender populations, body image concern (often prevalent in trans people) have been found to deter and motivate people from participating in sport activities. Similarly, trans people may disengage sport activities due to body image concerns (which may fluctuate at different stages of the treatment programme). In contrast, body dissatisfaction may motivate trans people to exercise, participate in sport or physical activity. Due to the lack of research with trans people regarding their sport, exercise and physical activity participation, little is known about their experiences. It was therefore the aim of this research to explore the challenges that trans people have regarding exercise, physical activity and sport participation and how this may differ at different stages of gender reassignment treatment. To address these research questions an interview schedule has been designed. It is proposed to conduct interviews with 20 trans people who are attending the Nottingham Centre for Gender Dysphoria. The centre is nationally commissioned but it is part of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. The data will be analysed for key themes pertaining to challenges in sport, exercise and physical activity participation. The finding will add to a field of literature that in turn will inform clinical practice.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0473
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion