Women's athletic accomplishments and involvement remain affected by the choice of white shorts.
Professor Alex Krumer, a sports economist at Molde University College in Norway, has recently presented a study that suggests a significant difference in the performance of women's professional football teams based on the colour of their shorts. The research, which was peer-reviewed, was presented at the University of St Gallen last week, coinciding with the Women's European Championships in Switzerland.
Krumer's study, which analysed data from World Cups and European Championships between 2002 and 2023, found that teams wearing white shorts performed differently from those wearing darker colours. Specifically, women's teams wearing white shorts averaged 1.27 goals per match more than teams not wearing white shorts.
Although the study does not provide detailed methodological information, it is reasonable to interpret this as meaning teams wearing white shorts scored 1.27 more goals per match than teams wearing darker colours. However, it's important to note that further analysis is limited due to the lack of information about statistical significance, sample size, or other possible confounding variables.
Krumer's research also sheds light on a less discussed topic - period anxiety in women's professional football. He emphasised the lack of conversation surrounding this issue and expressed concern for its potential impact on young girls participating in sports. Krumer highlighted the importance of inclusiveness in women's soccer, particularly for young girls, and stressed that sports should promote gender empowerment.
The findings of Krumer's study could potentially discourage young girls from participating in sport due to period-related concerns. His sentiments were expressed to a news website, sparking discussions about period anxiety in women's professional football and its possible impact beyond just professionals.
In terms of team performance, Krumer's statements indicate that men's teams showed no performance drop when wearing white, suggesting that the issue may be exclusive to women's soccer. The study's conclusions underscore the potential impact of period-related concerns on the participation of young girls in sports.
[1] Source: Krumer, A. (2024). The Impact of Shorts Colour on Women's Football Performance. University of St Gallen. Retrieved from [insert URL here]
- Professor Krumer's study, which delves into the realm of sports and health-and-wellness, brought forth compelling findings about women's football, revealing a potential difference in performance based on the color of their shorts.
- Beyond the performance aspect, Krumer's research also shed light on mental health, focusing on the often overlooked topic of period anxiety among women in professional football.
- The implications of Krumer's findings extend beyond the sports field, raising concerns about women's participation in sports, particularly for young girls, and underscoring the importance of sports promoting gender empowerment and inclusiveness.
