The discourse surrounding equity, diversity and inclusion is gaining significant traction across various domains, and the world of sports medicine is no exception. Recognising the profound impact of societal structures, cultural norms, systemic and unconscious biases is imperative for all of us. We need to be comfortable with discomfort and address these issues head-on to move the field forward. By fostering an environment that values and respects the diverse identities, experiences and needs of individuals, we can strive towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

We are committed to amplifying marginalised voices, challenging existing paradigms and advocating for positive change within the realms of sports and healthcare. Through a multidisciplinary approach where research evidence is intertwined with clinical insights and personal narratives, the articles included in this issue delve into the intricate intersections of gender, diversity, equity and health.

In line with the upward trajectory of research on women and by women, Christopher and colleagues (see page 299) conducted a consensus survey of stakeholders to define the current practices of determining postpartum readiness to return-to-running which will assist clinicians and inform sport policy. Gender disparity in concussion research is discussed by Peek et al (see page 297) who highlight the paucity of data including female participants. These gaps must be bridged to create a safe sporting environment to mitigate the risk of concussion for all athletes, not just males.

Yang et al (see page 328) examine concussion and its impact on male and female adolescents performing daily cognitive activities. Interestingly, they found that more moderate-high intensity cognitive activity is associated with faster concussion symptom resolution, and a delayed return to school is associated with slower symptom resolution.

The lower leg bone stress injury of a female collegiate pole vaulter is presented by Tsukahara et al (see page 343) . While bone stress was suspected clinically, the authors suggest that MRI is required to confirm and grade the diagnosis. They also discuss the potential relationship between relative energy deficiency and bone stress injury.

Boudreaux et al (see page 351) pay tribute to the legacy of Dr Steven Noel Blair (4 July 1939–6 October 2023) for his pioneering role in using data to promote physical activity and public health, paving the way for future researchers. Bullock et al (see page 293) contextualise the barriers to open and accessible data in sport health with potential solutions to account for the unique sport’s culture and environment. Education on data curation and management to provide sport staff with the skills, knowledge and awareness to appropriately share data will enhance research communication, collaboration and the quality of sports healthcare data. Highlighting these benefits, longitudinal health surveillance in UK Paralympic summer sport athletes from 2016 to 2019 presented by Rason and colleagues (see page 320) will inform development, implementation and evaluation of associated injury risk mitigation and management initiatives in para-athletes.

The African perspective is represented in a commentary by Iliodibia and Riding (see page 295) about anterior T-wave inversion in black athletes. The challenges of cardiac screening on the African continent include limited resources, personnel and policy frameworks for screening. The inadequate infrastructure and skills for secondary follow-up and confirmation of pathology highlight the potential importance of establishing population-based cardiac databases in black African athletes.

The association between accelerometer-measured physical activity and progression to chronic kidney disease in adults with the comorbidities of type 2 diabetes and/or obesity was investigated by Liu et al (see page 313) . This large prospective study showed how physical activity can be used to reduce the risk of progression to chronic kidney disease in this at-risk population. Jayedi et al (see page 334) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on walking speed and type 2 diabetes risk which included 10 cohort studies. While the total volume of walking was not associated, walking at faster speeds decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes, with low to moderate certainty evidence. So, perhaps we need to get our patients walking faster, not longer!

Dr Vieira is a South American researcher whose PhD Academy Award submission (see page 345) investigated the internal individual constraints and practical interventions that may impact football kicking performance in developing athletes. Our service spotlight article (see page 348) features clinical researchers who identified barriers to playing mainstream youth football in England. The development and refinement of solutions ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion are championed to promote the regular participation in football by more kids, with or without impairments, and without discrimination.

As we rapidly count down to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, we look forward to celebrating the athletes from across the globe who win medals and achieve personal bests. We also must acknowledge the unsung heroes in our sports medicine community responsible for clean and safe participation of these athletes. In closing, we invite you to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery through the pages of this issue. May it serve as a catalyst for dialogue, reflection and action, as we strive towards a future where equity, diversity and inclusion are not merely ideals but lived realities within the realm of sports and healthcare.

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