Exploring the lived experiences of female collegiate athletes: a basis for policy enhancement
Abstract
This qualitative case study explored the lived experiences of female collegiate athletes, focusing on challenges in balancing academic and athletic demands, gender stereotypes, and unique coping strategies like prayer and coffee consumption. Through semi-structured interviews with ten athletes from diverse sports, thematic analysis revealed disparities in resource allocation, the critical role of support systems, and the impact of gender biases on performance and well-being. This study highlights the complex and multifaceted experiences of female collegiate athletes, revealing both systemic challenges and personal resilience. Despite facing resource disparities, gender stereotypes, and the pressures of balancing academics and athletics, these athletes demonstrate remarkable strength, often drawing on support systems, mentorship, prayer, and coping strategies like coffee consumption to succeed. The findings call for institutional reforms aimed at promoting equity, well-being, and holistic support for female collegiate athletes, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive both on and off the field.
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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013
2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.
3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.
