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Date: 28 July 2025 Author: Energise Me
Our physical activity experiences when we’re younger shape our relationship with exercise as adults. That's why PE is so important.
If you’ve ever worked with teenage girls in schools, you’ll likely know how sensitive the topic of PE can be.
A new UK study has found that when uniform policies ignore girls’ changing bodies and their need for choice, it can dent confidence and lead to skipping PE.
But when schools trust girls to help shape those policies, and give real choice and flexibility, girls feel more comfortable, confident and engaged.
Researchers from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research explored how girls felt wearing PE uniforms, how it connected to body image, and how it influenced their participation and enjoyment in PE lessons. They spoke with girls aged 12–13 and PE staff from mixed-sex secondary schools across England to explore their views.
For Year 8 girls, feeling comfortable in their PE kit really mattered. That included both how the fabric felt, as well as feeling like they looked good and were wearing something stylish.
Having choice played a big role in this. Being able to pick the style, fit, and length of bottoms (like leggings, joggers or shorts), or to add layers (like jackets, coats, or something underneath), made girls feel more at ease.
When the kit was uncomfortable or didn’t fit properly, it made it harder for them to move and take part in PE lessons.
A lot of girls (and even some teachers) felt that unisex PE kits didn’t really work for girls’ bodies. The clothes were often described as baggy, too long, and just not very flattering because they were ‘made for boys’.
Given the option, many girls chose their own bottoms instead of the standard ones listed on the school website.
Even though some girls thought the boys’ versions might be more practical, wearing something labelled “for boys” made them feel self-conscious because it went against what was considered normal.
Some girls said they felt really self-conscious in their PE kit. Worrying about how they looked or how others might judge their ability. Others didn’t worry as much about their appearance which made it easier for them to enjoy PE.
Things like being concerned about how they looked, what others might think, and having to get changed in front of people all affected how comfortable they felt.
PE teachers also noticed that girls who didn’t feel confident in their sporting ability were more likely to worry about how they looked and were less likely to take part in PE.
Why not speak to the girls at your school to find out if implementing these simple changes would help them take part in PE lessons more comfortably.
If PE feels uncomfortable, embarrassing, or exclusive during school years, it can put girls off being active. Not just in lessons, but in later life.
Making small, thoughtful changes to things like kit policies can help girls feel more confident, included, and willing to get involved. And when girls enjoy PE, they’re more likely to stay active long after the school bell rings.
This is a summary of the study and its findings published by Porter A, Cawley E, Chapman L, et al. A qualitative study in UK secondary schools exploring how PE uniform policies influence body image attitudes and PE engagement among adolescent girls, 2025. To read the full research visit BMJ Journals.
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