Gender Considerations in Physiology Research: Reshaping Perspectives and Practices

Abstract

The incorporation of both sex (biological attributes) and gender (psychosocial, cultural constructs) into physiology research is increasingly recognized as essential due to their distinct and interactive effects on health outcomes. However, the integration of gender into the methodological design and outcome reporting of physiological studies lags far behind the inclusion of sex. To address this gap, we conducted a thematic analysis on the content of a discussion-focused gender symposium at the 2024 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology conference. This discussion was led by four researchers who integrate gender into their research programs in varying capacities, and centred around barriers and strategies for the incorporation of gender-related variables into physiological research. Four themes emerged: [1] gender and its importance and impact in research, [2] the importance of community partnerships, [3] methodological and reporting considerations for incorporating gender within quantitative spaces, and [4] building competency and confidence with gender-inclusive research. These themes reshape perspectives and offer practical approaches to incorporate gender as a variable in an inclusive, respectful, and rigorous manner. In sum, findings from the thematic analysis herein and the resultant action points are intended to empower physiologists wishing to incorporate gender into their research.