Gender parity in sports medicine; present imperative not future aspiration

Gender disparity persists in sports and exercise medicine (SEM), with women comprising only 27% of the faculty of SEM (FSEM) membership. While existing literature explores the barriers women face in progressing within SEM, less attention has been given to when and why female medical students disengage from the specialty pathway. This viewpoint article analyses data from the National Undergraduate SEM Society (USEMS), University SEM Committees and National Health Service England to track gender differences at various career stages. FSEM membership data was also reviewed to assess representation at the consultant level. Over the past 5 years, 46.8% of USEMS members and 48.6% of University SEM Committee members have been women. In contrast, at the Foundation doctor level, female USEMS membership figures drop to 24% and only 20.1% of SEM training applications submitted between 2021 and 2023 were by women. Despite strong engagement at the undergraduate level, few women pursue specialty SEM training, indicating that external barriers may be discouraging them from continuing. More research is needed to understand the specific factors leading to this disengagement so that appropriate steps can be taken to prevent it.