Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) practical recommendations: International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus meeting held in Lausanne, Switzerland, 2025.
Kay M Crossley, Jackie L Whittaker, Brooke Patterson, Isla J Shill, Emily E Heming, Garrett S Bullock, Hendrik Paul Dijkstra, Alex Donaldson, Carly D McKay, Margo Mountjoy, Merete Møller, Oluwatoyosi B A Owoeye, Anu M Räisänen, Jenna M Schulz, Cheri Blauwet
Abstract
Open AccessFemale, woman and/or girl athletes' sport participation rates are rising and associated with high injury rates and burden. Using best-practice consensus methodology, we developed recommendations to guide injury prevention for female/woman/girl athletes. The Female/woman/girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) International Olympic Committee Consensus meeting was held from 31 March to 2 April 2025 (Lausanne, Switzerland).The FAIR Consensus followed an eight-step hybrid method. 109 authors from six continents conducted: (1) systematic reviews synthesising evidence on injury prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for lower-extremity and upper-extremity injuries, concussions and spine/chest/abdominal/pelvic injuries/pain, (2) a scoping review synthesising dissemination and implementation (D&I) approaches; and (3) a concept mapping project generating knowledge on gender/sex-related factors for injury prevention. These projects underpinned draft recommendations subsequently voted on by a steering committee (n=24) and an external advisory committee chair over two anonymous survey rounds. Recommendations, Round 1 voting results and suggestions/dissenting comments were discussed between Round 1 and 2 voting. Consensus was defined as 'critical to include' (≥70% scored recommendation as 7-9 (9-point Likert scale, 1=not important; 9=critically important) AND ≤15% scored recommendation as 1-3).The 56 FAIR recommendations address: primary injury prevention (n=16) (policy/rules/laws=6; personal protective equipment=8; training=2); secondary injury prevention (n=4); modifiable risk factors (n=12); approaches to D&I (n=14); and promoting gender/sex-supportive environments (n=10).The FAIR Consensus informs evidence-based best practices and policy for injury prevention, approaches to implementation and creation of supportive environments for female/woman/girl athletes. Every person at all levels of sport can, and should, take responsibility for actions that positively influence female/woman/girl athlete health and safety.