Identifying structural barriers to Iranian women's recreational sports based on the developed PESTLE+M framework

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Elahe Saadatifard 1
Elham Fasanghari 2
1 Department of Management and Policy Making in Sports, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
10.22034/ntsmj.2025.2037236.1087
Abstract
Introduction
Recreational sports play a crucial role in enhancing individuals' physical and mental health, social integration, and overall well-being. Women’s participation in recreational sports is particularly important due to its direct impact on their health, family dynamics, and broader societal roles. However, various structural barriers limit Iranian women's engagement in such activities, leading to lower participation rates and reduced benefits for individuals and communities. These barriers stem from a combination of political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal, and media-related factors. Understanding and addressing these obstacles is essential for promoting gender equity in sports and fostering an inclusive and active society. This study aims to identify and analyze these barriers using the developed PESTLE+M framework, which expands the traditional PESTLE model by incorporating media as a significant factor influencing women's sports participation. By applying this comprehensive framework, the research provides a holistic perspective on the key challenges preventing Iranian women from fully engaging in recreational sports.
 Methodology
This study adopts an exploratory and qualitative research design, employing thematic analysis to examine structural barriers. The research sample includes experts and professionals in women’s and recreational sports, selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected via in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 24 experts who have significant experience in sports management, policymaking, and women's sports advocacy. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Braun and Clarke method, involving systematic coding of interview transcripts and iterative refinement of thematic categories. Initially, 213 codes were identified, representing diverse insights into structural barriers. Through successive stages of review and synthesis, these codes were refined and categorized into 96 sub-themes across seven main themes in the PESTLE+M model. The analysis provided a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between various structural barriers and their impact on women's recreational sports participation.
 Results
Findings reveal that the structural barriers in Iranian women's recreational sports fall under seven key dimensions:
·         Political barriers (21 sub-themes): Lack of policy support, inadequate government initiatives, political interference, insufficient female representation in decision-making, and bureaucratic obstacles that hinder progressive reforms in women’s sports policies.
·         Economic barriers (13 sub-themes): Limited financial support, high participation costs, inadequate sports infrastructure, insufficient private sector investment, and unequal allocation of resources between men’s and women’s sports programs.
·         Social barriers (14 sub-themes): Gender stereotypes, lack of family and social encouragement, cultural restrictions, societal norms discouraging women's active participation in sports, and limited access to female sports trainers who can provide appropriate guidance and mentorship.
·         Technological barriers (10 sub-themes): Limited access to modern sports technologies, inadequate digital education on health and fitness, lack of smart sports facilities for women, and insufficient development of digital platforms that promote awareness and accessibility to recreational sports.
·         Environmental barriers (17 sub-themes): Poor urban planning, lack of safe and accessible sports venues, environmental pollution negatively impacting outdoor activities, security concerns in public sports spaces, and insufficient investment in community-based recreational facilities for women.
·         Legal barriers (10 sub-themes): Inadequate legal protections for female athletes, restrictive regulations preventing equal opportunities, lack of policies promoting women’s sports development, legal ambiguities hindering participation, and weak enforcement of gender-inclusive policies in sports institutions.
·         Media barriers (11 sub-themes): Underrepresentation of women in sports media, gender-biased narratives reinforcing stereotypes, lack of media campaigns promoting women's recreational sports, insufficient coverage of female athletes, and the negative influence of social media in shaping public perceptions of women's sports.
 Conclusion
The findings highlight the need for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to overcome these barriers. Policymakers and sports managers should establish interdisciplinary task forces, introduce supportive legislation, invest in infrastructure development, and leverage media to shift societal perceptions toward women’s participation in recreational sports. Strategies such as increasing funding for women’s sports programs, creating gender-sensitive policies, developing safe and accessible sports facilities, and promoting positive media representation can play a transformative role in breaking down these structural barriers. Addressing these challenges through targeted policies and strategic interventions can significantly enhance women’s participation in recreational sports and promote gender equity in Iran’s sports sector. Furthermore, encouraging community engagement, fostering public-private partnerships, and leveraging digital technology can provide sustainable solutions to women's persistent obstacles in accessing recreational sports opportunities.
Keywords: PESTLE+M model, structural barriers, thematic analysis, Women's recreational sports.
JEL Classification: Z28
Keywords
PESTLE+M model
structural barriers
thematic analysis
Women'
s recreational sports
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