Together, yet still not equal? Sex integration in equestrian sport

Sex segregation is a core organising principle of most modern sports and is a key element in the marginalisation and subordination of girls and women in sport and beyond. In this article I explore the only Olympic-level sport which is not organised around sex segregation – equestrian sport – in order to consider the implications of sex integration for female participants. I draw on a study conducted on elite riders that found that although sex integration in equestrian sport does not lead to female participants being excluded from high-level competition, men continue to perform disproportionately well. This suggests that although sex integration may be an important step towards breaking down gender hierarchies in sport, without accompanying wider changes in gender norms and expectations, sex integration alone will not be enough to achieve greater gender equality in equestrian sport

Shear Behaviour of Ligthweight Sandwich Reinforced Concrete Slabs

A new lightweight sandwich reinforced concrete (LSRC) section has been developed using prefabricated autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks as infill in the section where concrete is considered ineffective under bending. This paper presents an investigation into the strength and behaviour of LSRC slabs subjected to shear. Eight tests were conducted on four slabs, one solid and three different types of LSRC slabs. Based on the test results, all LSRC slabs exhibited similar behaviour to the equivalent solid slab and had varying shear capacities depending on the profile of AAC blocks infill. The obtained shear capacities were compared with the design values based on several major design codes and found to be within the safety predictions of the codes. ANSYS was employed to develop nonlinear finite element models of LSRC slabs. The numerical results agree well with the experimental one

Physical exercise and the psychology of the menstrual cycle

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX190464 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Is 'fit' a feminist issue? Dilemmas for exercise psychology

Exercise psychologists are interested in how to promote adherence to physical activity in different segments of the population, and in the health outcomes, both physiological and psychological, from involvement in exercise (Mutrie, 1995). The current consensus is that appropriate levels of physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety and increase psychological well-being, and that people with physically active lifestyles tend to live longer and have a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes (Pate et al., 1995). In addition, Choi and Mutrie (1997) have suggested that there are particular ways, associated with reproductive function, in which involvement in physical activity and exercise could be particularly beneficial for women