The co-creation, initial piloting, and protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a coach-led positive body image intervention for girls in sport

Matheson, E. L.; Schneider, J.; Tinoco, Aline; Gentili, Caterina; Silva-Breen, Hannah; LaVoi, Nicole M.; White, P.; Diedrichs, Phillippa C.

Abstract

Background: Globally, girls disengage from sports at an earlier age and higher rate than boys. This is, in part, due to the unique body image challenges that girls face, relative to their male peers. Existing intervention efforts that aim to reduce girls’ negative body image and movement experiences have proven marginally effective, if not ineffective. This paper outlines the co-creation, initial piloting and protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of Body Confident Athletes (BCA); an in-person, coach-led intervention that aims to foster positive body image and sports enjoyment among girls. Methods: Following co-creation and an initial pilot, a two-armed cluster randomised controlled trial will assess the immediate (post-intervention) and short-term (1-month and 3-month follow-up) impact of BCA on girls’ (N = 1,036; 11–17 years old) body image, sports enjoyment, and affect. Sport organisations will be randomly allocated (1:1) into either an intervention or waitlist control condition. Girls and coaches in the intervention condition will complete three 60-minute sessions over three consecutive weeks. The primary outcome will be the immediate change in girls’ body esteem, with secondary outcomes assessing the immediate and short-term changes in girls’ body appreciation, self-objectification, attuned self-care, sports enjoyment, and affect. Discussion: This research is the first to utilise an international multi-stakeholder partnership to co-create and evaluate an intervention that addresses the intersection of girls’ body image and sport experiences. The theoretical and methodological considerations of this research have led to a feasible intervention and trial protocol, and if proven effective, BCA may assist in reducing the global gender disparity in sports participation. Trial registration number: NCT05594524, registered 25th October 2022.

Citation

Matheson, E. L., Schneider, J., Tinoco, A., Gentili, C., Silva-Breen, H., LaVoi, N. M., …Diedrichs, P. C. (2023). The co-creation, initial piloting, and protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a coach-led positive body image intervention for girls in sport. BMC Public Health, 23(1), Article 1467. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16360-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 31, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Journal: BMC public health
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 1467
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16360-w
• Keywords: Intervention development, Sports participation, Girls, Adolescent, Cluster randomised controlled trial, Body image, Study protocol
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10881595