Regional Mountain Conference

Problem statement/research question: Mansplaining, commonly described as unsolicited, gendered explanations, represents a form of interaction that may negatively influence psychological experiences in performance-related contexts. While such behaviors have been discussed in everyday and organizational settings such as the workplace, their potential relevance in sport contexts remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of mansplaining within alpine outdoor winter sports. It further examines whether experiences of mansplaining in these contexts are associated with participants’ perceived flow experiences during activity engagement, and whether these associations vary by gender.

Methodology: Data will be collected using an online survey among active outdoor winter sports participants in April 2026. The study will employ multiple inferential statistical techniques to assess the relationships between mansplaining, flow experiences, and gender.

Originality: By addressing an understudied social phenomenon in a sport-specific context, this study seeks to provide initial insights into how gendered interaction experiences may relate to psychological outcomes relevant for sport participation and performance. Such insights are crucial for developing strategies for outdoor sports providers and associations to address discrimination and facilitate inclusive outdoor sports structures.