Why Do Girls Drop Out of Sport? It Might Be The PE Kit.

This article was originally published by Sportsbeat.

At HerMove, we are dedicated to tackling the barriers that prevent women and girls from staying active. That's why we were so compelled by this research from ASICS. The findings highlight an often-overlooked issue: the discomfort of a traditional PE kit. This is a powerful reminder that simple changes can have a major impact on a girl's confidence and willingness to participate, both on and off the field.

Research shows that 64% of UK girls will drop out of sport before they turn 16.

UK teenage girls are leading the charge to rethink the traditional PE kit, sharing their insights to create a new kit concept that would make them feel more comfortable and keep them playing sport.

Research shows that 64% of UK girls will drop out of sport before they turn 16, impacting their physical and mental wellbeing today and in the future.

But according to research commissioned by ASICS amongst 14 to 16-year-old girls, changes to the UK’s school PE Kit could have a major impact on girls dropping out.

Nearly three-quarters of UK girls (70%) said they would be more likely to participate in school PE lessons, and 74% said they would enjoy PE more if their PE kit was more comfortable.

Only 12% of UK girls are completely satisfied with their current school PE kit, with nearly two-thirds (63%) actively believing it’s time for a PE kit makeover to make it more comfortable. The key reasons cited by girls for feeling uncomfortable in their current PE kit are: ‘lack of choice’, ‘uncomfortable fabrics’, ‘shapeless design’, ‘suitability for different weather conditions’, ‘period concerns’ and ‘sweat absorption and visibility’.

In response, ASICS, together with Inclusive Sportswear and mental health charity Mind, have conducted extensive research with teenage girls to reimagine the school PE Kit. The result is the “Undropped Kit,” a new kit concept based on what girls actually want to wear to feel more comfortable while playing sport. The kit has been designed to suit different body shapes, weather conditions and personal styles, to help girls enjoy sport and exercise without distraction and discomfort.

The Undropped Kit has been tested by secondary school girls at Burnley High School, identified by Sport England as one of the regions in the UK with the lowest PE participation. Watch the video here.

The Undropped Kit initiative aims to shine a light on the issue of PE Kit discomfort and ultimately help to bring about change to help keep girls moving for their physical and mental wellbeing. To drive long-term change, ASICS is supporting Inclusive Sportswear, a UK-based organisation advocating for an inclusive sports kit policy to lift the barrier of PE kit for all pupils. Parents and school staff are encouraged to join the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, gaining access to free expert training, toolkits and guidance developed with the Youth Sport Trust to create meaningful change and help more girls enjoy PE.

To find out more about how you and your local school can get involved, visit asics.com/undroppedkit

Katie Piper, Mum, activist and TV Personality, said “As a mum to two daughters, I know the impact PE kits can have on young girls’ willingness to take part in sport. I remember experiencing this first-hand myself at school feeling uncomfortable in my kit and worrying more about how it looks than enjoying the activity. That’s why I’m proud to support the Undropped Kit initiative. It’s about more than just clothing it’s about helping girls feel seen, supported, and empowered to stay active. I urge parents and schools to get involved and help create a more inclusive environment for our daughters.”

Tess Howard, founder of inclusive sportswear and international hockey player for Team GB, said: “A PE kit is the most underrated reason girls drop out of PE, but the good news is we can fix it and fast. Inclusive Sportswear is built to solve this issue by helping schools employ inclusive PE kit policy based on enabling choice and comfort. We are delighted to partner with ASICS to highlight this important issue by reimagining girls' PE kit, and to work towards lasting change for all through the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform. By listening to girls and evolving kit to support their needs, we can lift this barrier.”

Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, said: “At Mind, we believe physical activity is a powerful protective factor for young people’s mental health. It's deeply concerning to see so many teenage girls dropping out of PE in such big numbers. While the reasons are complex, simple changes like adapting PE kit could help girls feel more comfortable to stay active, giving them a lifelong tool to support their mental health.”

ASICS’ Lucy Greenhalgh, Head of UK Marketing said: “We believe in the positive impact of movement not just on the body, but also on the mind. Our State of Mind study showed that there is a direct connection between exercising in your teenage years and your mental state in adulthood, and it is key for establishing lifelong exercise habits.”

This research is directly aligned with our HerMove mission. We want to hear from you.

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For more information and to learn how you can get involved, visit www.hermove.uk