Advancing Gender Equality in Schools through Inclusive Physical Education and Teaching Training: A Systematic Review

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper entitled 'Advancing Gender Equality in Schools through Inclusive Physical Education: A Systematic Review' is an interesting study which could be considered for publication. I think that a minor revision is further needed.

The introduction of the paper should better highlight what elements of novelty this study brings in current gender education studies. Also, at page 2, line 49 where it is a discussion on students who can learn to reject any form of discrimination and abuse, and internalize the values of equality it could be mentioned several sources on discrimination and otherness of marginal people who internalize stigma and have to get aware of equality values (see the case of educational inclusion of the marginal people such as the black Americans - doi -10.1007/s12111-008-9043-8 and the Roma people in Europe - doi - 10.1080/14702540802596608, doi - 10.1080/1070289X.2021.1920774). 

The results are nicely presented, but it should be highlighted at the end of the method section the limitations of this study. One of its limitations is that it bases mainly only on six major previous studies for this review.

Discussion are good, but conclusions should be expanded by showing the international implications of this review paper or how the outcomes of this review bring additional value to what we know in current literature. Also, some policy recommendations would be good to be addressed at the end of the discussions.

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you for your review. We have addressed the requests, introducing more sources on discrimination and otherness of marginal people who internalize stigma and have to get aware of equality values, highlighting the limitations of the study, expanding the conclusions by showing international implications and providing policy recommendations. Below is highlighted which lines have been included in each modification to your requests.Aditionally, every new information included in the article is highlited in yellow in the text and every modification in green:

• The introduction of the paper should better highlight what elements of novelty this study brings in current gender education studies. Also, at page 2, line 49 where it is a discussion on students who can learn to reject any form of discrimination and abuse, and internalize the values of equality it could be mentioned several sources on discrimination and otherness of marginal people who internalize stigma and have to get aware of equality values (see the case of educational inclusion of the marginal people such as the black Americans - doi -10.1007/s12111-008-9043-8 and the Roma people in Europe - doi - 10.1080/14702540802596608, doi - 10.1080/1070289X.2021.1920774). 
  • Answer: Done in lines 50 to 69 and 80 to 90
• The results are nicely presented, but it should be highlighted at the end of the method section the limitations of this study. One of its limitations is that it bases mainly only on six major previous studies for this review.
  • Answer: Done in lines 488 to 508
• Discussion are good, but conclusions should be expanded by showing the international implications of this review paper or how the outcomes of this review bring additional value to what we know in current literature. Also, some policy recommendations would be good to be addressed at the end of the discussions.
  • Answer: Done in lines 421 to 453

We appreciate your valuable input which has helped us to further improve our paper.

Best regards,

The authors.

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper focuses in gendered aspects of physical education and aims to highlight the prevailing themes and the main conclusions from studies covering this topic. It presents the results from a systematic review, following the PRISMA method. The narrative approach was chosen in order to analyses selected studied and the main findings from it. The authors describe in detail the procedures that they followed in order to select the papers for the systematic review. Out of 327 potentially relevant documents, 13 scientific papers were obtained after the application of described selection criteria. The methodology, sampling, the main topics and the main conclusions of the selected studied are presented in a table format and briefly discussed with respect to gender inequality in physical education and the need to introduce gender sensitive and more inclusive approach in this sphere.

One of my suggestions to the authors is to explain in the begin of the paper what physical education stands for, i.e. practices, curriculum activities, what age groups fall in the scope of the systematic review, any other selection criteria, etc.

The presentation of the results from the review in a table format is very convenient for reading but the analysis of the results in the narrative part can be extended in order to delineate better the main conclusions from the comparison of the different studied and the differences/ peculiarities that are outlined in the selected studies.

In can be very informative for the readers also to add a section on the limitations of the study. The authors may also include a short paragraph on the implications for the practice and to emphasize the benefits of an inclusive and gender sensitive approach in physical education that foster gender equality and overcome gender stereotypes and discrimination practices.

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions. We agree that it is important to provide background information about physical education, and have include definitions, age groups, and other selection criteria in the introduction. Lines 80 to 90. We also agree that there is potential to expand the narrative analysis of our results to better delineate the main conclusions from our comparison of different studies, every new information included in the article is highlited in yellow in the text and every modification in green. Additionally, we have added a section on study limitations and a paragraph discussing implications for practice. These additions emphasize the benefits of an inclusive and gender sensitive approach in physical education which foster gender equality and overcome gender stereotypes and discrimination practices.Lines 488 to 508.

We appreciate your valuable input which has helped us to further improve our paper.

Best regards,

The authors.