As physical therapists and movement professionals, we have an obligation to promote health and well-being through participation in sport and physical activity for all individuals, including our transgender patients/clients. Engagement in regular movement activities via participation in sport promotes positive impacts on one’s long-term well-being, including emotional, social, and physical health. Furthermore, participation in sport serves as a protective factor for mental health by decreasing depressive symptoms and optimizing physical, psychological, and social health benefits.
This abstract involved a review of the current literature on transgender athlete sport performance, athletic advantage, and benefits of physical activity and sport participation. Policies of college- and elite-level sport governing bodies were reviewed, including World Athletics, the International Olympic Committee, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Finally, a review was conducted of United States legislation that bans transgender youth participation in recreational sport.
Current research on the competitive advantage of transgender athletes in elite sport is inconclusive. While current research demonstrates that hormone therapy results in measurable changes in biophysiological factors, it is inconclusive how these factors specifically influence sport performance. Furthermore, hormone levels are only one component of a wide myriad of factors impacting athletic performance. However, research overwhelmingly demonstrates that the benefits of sport outweigh the physical, social, and emotional harm caused by banning athletes from participation. Physical therapy professionals should encourage participation in sport-based physical activity at all competitive levels for the health and well-being of all patients, including those who are transgender.
Additional high quality studies are needed to investigate transgender athletes’ sport performance compared to cisgender competitors. Additionally, there is a need for innovative approaches to sport inclusion that optimizes competitive performance and minimizes exclusionary harm. Sport segregation of a biologically-diverse human population into the binary classes of men and women creates a challenging environment to achieve fairness and inclusion; the range of possible solutions is expansive.
Physical therapy professionals must answer this call to action and embrace the responsibility to advocate for and support participation in sport-based physical activity at all competitive levels for the transgender community.
Professional Code of Ethics
Health and Wellness
