CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS PREVENTING SAUDI ARABIAN WOMEN FROM PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Several challenges contribute to reduced physical activity (PA) among Saudi women. To improve participation rates in sports and PA, and ultimately achieve Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of a 40% increase in the population’s PA rates by 2030, these barriers must be addressed. This scoping review explores the challenges and barriers preventing Saudi women from participating in sports. Methods: A scoping review utilizing Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was undertaken to identify and map available literature addressing the challenges preventing Saudi women from participating in sports and PA. The databases searched included PubMed and Saudi Digital Library (SDL). Additional searches were performed using Google Scholar, Trove, and gray literature. Results: An initial search yielded 286 articles (PubMed n = 125; SDL n = 13; Google Scholar, Trove and gray literature n=148) After the removal of all duplicates, 281 articles remained. Abstract and title screening reduced the field to 79 publications. After full-text reviews were conducted, nine articles were included in the final review. Four themes were identified during the analysis of the articles: i) physical activity rates, ii) motivating factors and attitudes toward sports, ii) barriers and challenges, and iv) Vision 2030 changes. Conclusion: Findings confirm that the reduced physical activity participation rate among Saudi women can be attributed to barriers to participating in sports and PA. One of the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is to increase physical activity levels in Saudi Arabia by 40% by 2030. Addressing these challenges will improve women’s participation rates in sports and will eventually contribute to the achievement of the country’s Vision 2030 health and wellness strategic goals.