Sex And Gender Bias In Movement Competence And Confidence Across The Lifespan

PURPOSE: It has been posited that movement behaviour variances that exist between males and females may not only be a result of biological sex, but also differences in gender treatment in movement contexts arising from differential expectations (gender bias) that may exist across the lifespan. This can be demonstrated in differences in injury rates (e.g., ACL), physical activity levels, and associated movement competencies. Persistence of bias and the competency/confidence connection is currently underexplored but a necessary component of physical literacy. As such, the purpose was to explore differences in movement competence and confidence throughout the lifespan to begin to understand potential sex and gender biases and the lifelong impact. METHODS: Using a PRISMA model, a systematic review search identified studies on sex differences in movement competence and movement confidence, based on searches in Pubmed, EBSCO and ProQuest databases. A random-effects meta-analysis examined the differences in competence and confidence in males and females across the lifespan, with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Fifteen studies on movement competence (4554 participants) and 7 studies on movement confidence (1646 participants) were identified with data suitable for meta-analysis, with studies ranging from an average age of 1.5 to 64 years. There was a significant effect of sex differences (male>female) for both competence (pooled effect= -0.77; Z=-7.55; p<0.01- see figure) and confidence (pooled effect= -0.49; Z=-4.88; p<0.01), consistent with persistent lifespan effects. CONCLUSIONS: The demonstrated lifespan differences in competence and confidence from pre-pubertal to geriatric populations is disconcerting, and the origins of this may be arsing from gender bias, warranting further exploration. Based on physical literacy, the linkages between competence and confidence are a vehicle for exploring gender bias in various movement contexts.