Breaking Barriers: Women-centered Physical Education Programming in Higher Education

Abstract

In general, physical activity subsides for females after high school. Researchers have found that women experience unique barriers to remaining physically active during their college years. Obstacles such as social anxiety, lack of social support, and life balance have been cited as challenges for women in relation to maintaining consistent physical activity habits. The purpose of this article is to provide college and university instructors of physical education activity courses an overview of the barriers women may face, discuss the importance of using a women-centered approach in this setting, and provide theoretically based concepts and offer practical examples that can be implemented in the classroom to lessen barriers and help female students sustain motivation for physical activity.