Exploring potential constraints to women’s participation in intramural flag football

Women’s participation in intramural sports, particularly flag football, remains significantly lower than that of men, despite the well-documented physical, psychological, educational, and social benefits of sports engagement. While women comprise a substantial percentage of college students, their representation in intramural flag football leagues is disproportionately low, indicating potential barriers to participation. Prior research suggests that women face unique challenges in sports participation, including gender norms, social expectations, and logistical constraints. This study aims to identify and analyze the specific factors that may discourage women from joining intramural flag football leagues, applying Newell’s Theory of Constraints (NTC) as a guiding framework. NTC classifies constraints into three broad categories—individual, task, and environmental—which, in the context of this study, align with intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural barriers. By understanding these constraints, campus recreation professionals and sports administrators can develop targeted strategies to foster greater inclusivity and engagement among women in recreational sports.Utilizing a survey research design, data was collected from 258 women-identifying college students through an online questionnaire. The study categorized constraints into intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural barriers and analyzed them using Mann-Whitney tests and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that interpersonal constraints, particularly the lack of teammates or friends willing to participate, were the most significant barriers. Structural constraints, such as time limitations due to academic and work obligations, also contributed to lower participation. While intrapersonal constraints ranked the lowest, concerns regarding gender dominance in sports and fear of injury were notable. The study’s hypotheses, which anticipated that women would report high intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints, were not supported, as none of the constraint categories averaged significantly above the midline of the Likert scale. However, interpersonal constraints remained the most influential factor in non-participation. While the study provides valuable insights, its limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a sample drawn primarily from campus recreation-affiliated individuals. Future research should explore additional factors influencing participation, expand the sample to a more diverse population, and examine the effectiveness of intervention strategies. By addressing these constraints, institutions can foster a more inclusive and supportive sports environment for women.