Associations between environmental attributes of facilities and female participation in sport: a systematic review

Purpose: To examine the association between environmental attributes of facilities, female participation in sport and according to life stage. Design: Articles were identified through seven databases and included if female specific results were reported on the association between attributes of the physical environment and sports participation. Findings: The search yielded 3118 articles, 24 met the criteria. Most studies were moderate quality and in terms of life stage focused on adolescent girls. Environmental attributes of facilities including perceived safety, convenient location and suitable amenities in sport and school facilities were associated with female participation in sport. Practical implications/research contribution: Attributes of the physical environment may influence female participation in sport. Conclusions are tentative based on minimal studies in this area. More attention to identify environmental attributes of facilities associated with encouraging female participation in sport across their transitional life stage is required to enhance understanding and guide facility development.