Barriers take many forms:

• Physical barriers can present as low physical fitness; presence of illness/disease; lack of physical literacy, etc.
• Psychological barriers such as limited confidence in their physical abilities or knowledge about physical activity & sport; low perceived behavioural control; low physical self efficacy, etc. may interfere with girls’ desire to participate in sport & physical activity. There may be feelings of fatigue, fear, lack of confidence or negative attitudes; concerns about body weight, poor body image & low self-esteem.
• Time-based barriers are often present for many women & girls, such as too much work or school work; responsibilities to care for younger siblings, children, or elderly parents; housework or chores; parental or family expectations for women & girls to be at home, etc. Women often report feelings of guilt or experience difficulty prioritizing sport & physical activity participation over other responsibilities & interests.
• Interpersonal barriers exist as well, such as low family or partner or caregiver motivation to support women’s & girls’ physical activity engagement; family or partner or parental belief that sport is not as important for females as for males; lack of social support including a lack of peer support; limited positive feedback; limited role models; concerns about being perceived as unfeminine or a lesbian; & contradictory marketing messages & strategies, etc.
• Access & opportunity barriers are present for many, such as cost; access to appropriate equipment; transportation; access to quality facilities; lack of culturally relevant activities; language & literacy barriers; experiences of discrimination or racism; accessibility issues for women & girls with a disability, etc. For females with care-giving responsibilities, there may be limited access to alternative care or respite from such roles. The built environment and/or climate may pose additional challenges, both directly & indirectly.
• Programming barriers are also particularly common for girls & women, such as lack of choice & variety, no female-only opportunities; low-quality or untrained instructors & coaches; undesired focus on competition or specialization; commitment requirements, etc.