Physical, mental, and social wellbeing

Participating in sport can help to reduce the risk of developing a range of non-communicable diseases and illness as well as improving physical, mental, and social wellbeing. ^{1, 3}

While acknowledging the strengths, resilience, and impact of LGBTIQ+ people and communities, for many reasons they may also have lower levels of sport and physical activity participation, physical fitness, and overall quality of life compared with the broader population. ^{2, 15, 17, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44}

Although there is limited robust data, research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlights that:

• LGBTIQ+ people often face disparities in terms of their mental health, sexual health, and rates of substance use. ¹⁵
• LGBTIQ+ communities have been identified as a priority population for suicide prevention in Australia and may experience higher levels of mental ill health, suicidality, and self-harm, compared with the broader population. ⁴²
• Individuals and communities with intersectional identities, such as people who are both lower socio-economic status and LGBTIQ+, may have higher risks of negative health and wellbeing outcomes, but there is a lack of data and research to understand risks or protective factors. ^{40, 41, 42}
• Older people in same-sex couples tend to be more highly educated and have higher labour force participation rates than people in opposite-sex couples. ¹⁵

Physical wellbeing

Physical health or fitness can be a significant motivator for and benefit of participation in sport for LGBTIQ+ people. ^{1, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 45}

Sport and exercise can also have an important role in increasing body satisfaction, gender congruence, and allow participants, especially transgender and gender diverse individuals, to affirm their gender identity. ^{6, 13, 20, 22, 45}

Research also suggests that the physical aspects of sport can provide stress relief through being present in the moment and in your body, and as a way to ‘work out’ everyday life stresses. ^{19, 45}

Social and mental wellbeing

Feeling a sense of belonging, that you are included and welcome, can be critical for wellbeing. ^{1, 7, 10, 43, 45}

Sport can help individuals to connect with other people, to help establish and strengthen social supports (e.g. friends and peer networks) and social capital (such as opportunities for peer acceptance). ^{1, 10, 43}

Social isolation – the lack of connectedness with others – can undermine self-esteem and contribute to feelings of not belonging or not being valued that negatively impact mental health and wellbeing. Factors that can encourage good mental health and quality of life include a sense of purpose, feeling included, community connectedness, healthy self-esteem, and resilience. ^{10, 40, 43}

Sport can play a role in developing and building many of the protective social and mental wellbeing factors. Some of the key motivators and benefits of sport and physical activity participation for LGBTIQ+ people include:

• Social engagement. ^{7, 13, 19, 20, 21}
• Psychological/mental health/therapy. ^{1, 5, 10, 12, 19, 20, 44}
• Achievement, including building confidence, skills, and mastery. ^{6, 7, 10, 19}
• Maintaining positive mental health and sleep patterns. ^{1, 10, 44}
• Reduced anxiety around their body, related to gender dysphoria. ⁶
• Increased feelings of belonging and community connection. ^{1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21}
• Positive and supportive friends and peer relationships ^{1, 7, 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21}

The value of sport for LGBTIQ+ people and communities can be significant when experiences are positive. Critical consideration, ongoing planning, engagement, and effort are required to ensure that sport has a beneficial impact and contributes a more inclusive society for everyone. ^{1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 30, 43, 44, 45}

Resources and reading