Female Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ experiences of pregnancy: Interview Transcripts

UK Sport commissioned research with Loughborough University into athletes’ experiences of pregnancy, with the aim of providing further guidance about how athletes should be supported through pregnancy and post-childbirth.
Research Questions:
The research was designed to document female Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ experiences of pregnancy whilst on, or recently retired from, WCP. Three main research questions structured the focus of the research. These were: 
· What factors contribute to decision making around pregnancy whilst on a WCP for athletes? 
· What challenges and concerns do athletes face throughout their pregnancy and postpartum? 
· What were athletes’ experiences of support from NGBs during pregnancy and post-partum, and how could this be improved? 
Research Design and Method:
The research employed a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews as the method for data collection. Athletes were recruited via advertising the study on social media, via the BAC and EIS, and via emails detailing the study which were sent to current WCP athletes and those who had recently retired (within the last 3 years). 13 athletes expressed an interest in the study, of which interviews were conducted with 10 athletes between January to May 2021. The athletes included in the sample were from Olympic (n=5) and Paralympic (n=5) sports and had either experienced pregnancy (n=4) or were considering pregnancy (n=6) whilst on WCP. 
Data Analysis:
Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim before undergoing a form of qualitative thematic analysis. Data analysis procedures were followed throughout the process to enhance the empirical adequacy and descriptive validity. Interviews lasted on average 90 minutes.

英国体育委员会委托拉夫堡大学进行了一项关于运动员孕期经历的研究，旨在进一步提供有关如何为运动员在孕期及产后提供支持的指导。研究问题包括：

· 运动员在参加世界冠军计划（WCP）期间或刚退役时，在决定怀孕的因素有哪些？
· 运动员在孕期及产后面临哪些挑战和担忧？
· 运动员在孕期及产后从国家体育总局（NGBs）获得的支持体验如何，以及如何改进这一支持？

研究设计与方法：该研究采用了定性研究设计，以半结构化访谈作为数据收集的方法。通过在社交媒体上宣传研究、通过BAC和EIS以及通过发送详细说明研究的电子邮件（发送给当前WCP运动员和最近三年内退役的运动员）来招募运动员。13名运动员表示对研究感兴趣，其中在2021年1月至5月期间对10名运动员进行了访谈。样本中的运动员来自奥运（n=5）和残奥（n=5）项目，他们中有些人经历了怀孕（n=4）或正在考虑在WCP期间怀孕（n=6）。

数据分析：访谈被录音并逐字转录，然后进行定性主题分析。在整个过程中遵循数据分析程序，以提高经验充分性和描述有效性。访谈平均持续90分钟。