Pregnancy and childbirth within high performance sport has become more common with many female athletes seeking to return postpartum; however, not all female athletes are successful in their return to high-performance sport postpartum. To better understand why some female athletes return and others don’t, CQUniversity in partnership with the Queensland Academy of Sport are conducting a study exploring the barriers and enablers that influence the return of elite female athletes to high-performance sport postpartum. We are inviting you to participate in this study.

What does the study involve?

You will participate in an online focus group with other elite female athletes, coaches, and staff from state and national sport organisations in Australia. Focus groups will take approximately 60-90 minutes and be conducted via Zoom videoconferencing. For this you will need access to a computer and internet or at least a phone. A Participant Information Sheet is attached for you to read. This provides you with more details about the study.

What is the aim of the research?

The aim of this research is to not only understand what factors influence the return of elite female athletes to high-performance sport postpartum, but to use findings to develop best practice guidelines to inform sport organisations on what best will facilitate the return of elite female athletes to high-performance sport postpartum. This research is important as limited evidence-based policies exist that support athletes to be mums. Further, Australia currently does not have best practice guidelines that inform sport organisations in what can best support the return of their elite female athletes to high-performance sport postpartum.

Who can take part?

You are eligible to take part in this study if you are 18 years or older; understand written and verbal English; capable of participating in an online focus group for no more than 90 minutes; and identify as either:

• A female athlete who is competing or has competed at the national or international level for Australia no more than 5 years ago (i.e., pre-2018), who:
  • is currently attempting or has returned to the same level of sport 2 years after giving birth
  • attempted to return to the same level of sport 2 years after giving birth but was unsuccessful
  • is pregnant, or maybe considering/planning to start a family
  • has retired from sport and has given birth within 2 years of retiring

• A coach, support or organisational staff (e.g., administration, governance) who work for a state or national sport organisation in Australia and is affiliated with women’s sport/athletes

How to take part?

If you would like to be involved in this study, you will need to complete a short online survey indicating your interest and eligibility to participate. Survey available at: https://bit.ly/3BU7MF3