Trends on the Participation of Women in the Fitness Sector of Colima, Mexico
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Problem. Women represent a significant portion of the workforce in the fitness industry. Historically, however, they have played a secondary role in this field, with their skills and professionalismoften overlooked due to the influence of gender stereotypes that still persist both in the field and society. Objectives. This descriptive quantitative study aimed to identify the participation of women and emerging trends in the fitness sector in Colima, Mexico. Materials and Methods. For this purpose, an adaptated version of the ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends Questionnaire was used, adapted to the local context of Colima. The online questionnaire included 56 potential fitness trends, incorporating some specific to the context, as well as sociodemographic questions and economic indicators. The study population consisted of fitness professionals across the 10 municipalities of of Colima. A randomly selected sample included 340 specialists and individuals who lead public and private fitness programs, of 122 are women, the population analyzed in this study. Results. Among the most relevant findings, we can mention that 45.9% of the women working in the fitness sector were between 22 and 34 years old, with at least four years of experience. Similarly, 24.6% held a related university degree, 7.4% had postgraduate degrees, while the rest held certifications, had training in other professional areas, or have been trained empirically. At the time of the study, 35.2% were not actively working in fitness; among those who did work, 27.9% earned between $5,000 and $10,000 MXN per month. The most common occupations were gym instructors (12.3%) and personal trainers (5.7%). Popular services offered included weight loss programs, personal training, functional training, and programs combining exercise with nutrition. Discussion. The data reveal a multifaceted reality regarding women's participation in the fitness industry in Colima. Compared to previous decades, there is greater diversity in the services they offer,; many of which now provide highly specialized services associated with various sciences applied to exercise. However, despite representing a significant part of the workforce, women continue to face limited access to leadership roles and professional recognition, largelydue to enduring gender stereotypes that continue to be reproduced
University of Colima
Ciria Margarita Salazar C. holds a PhD and Master's degree in Physical Education and Art from the University of Extremadura, Spain. She also holds a Master's degree in Sports Business Administration. She is a member of the National System of Researchers, Level 2, of CONAHCYT (National Council of Researchers). She is a full-time research professor at the Faculty of Education Sciences at the University of Colima, Mexico. Her research interests include women and sport, teacher training, and quality of life and physical activity in vulnerable contexts.
University of Colima
She holds a PhD in Physical Culture Sciences and a Master's degree in Physical Activity and Sport with a focus on Sports Management from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Sport from the University of Colima. She is a full-time research professor at the Faculty of Education Sciences at the University of Colima. She leads the UCOL-85 "Education and Movement" faculty. She is a member and vice president of the Latin American Association of Sports Management (ALGEDE). Her research interests include physical culture and sport.
University of Colima
Claudia M. Prado-Meza has been a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Colima, Mexico, since 2013. She holds a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and a certificate in Social Justice in Higher Education from Iowa State University, USA. Her areas of interest include sustainability, qualitative methods in business research, and gender. She holds a PRODEP profile, is level 1 in the National System of Researchers (SNI), and is the leader of Academic Body 109 "Transdisciplinary Business Studies."
University of Colima
Rossana Tamara Medina Valencia holds a PhD in Physical Education and Art from the University of Extremadura, Spain. She also holds a Master's degree in Leisure and Recreation Management. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Sports. She is a member of the National System of Researchers, Level 1, of CONAHCYT (National Council of Researchers). She is a full-time research professor at the Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Colima, Mexico. Her research interests include leisure and recreation, teacher training, and quality of life.
University of Guadalajara
Lino Francisco Jacobo Gómez Chávez. PhD in Development and Sustainability Sciences from the University of Guadalajara, full-time research professor at the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara, leader of the academic body UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health, member of the research group Worldwide Fitness Trends: Future Directions of the Health and Fitness Industry Feature of the American College of Sports Medicine, member of the National System of Researchers and professor with a desirable profile PRODEP-SEP.
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