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@article{198031,
        author = {Tanmay Upadhyay},
        title = {Return to Competitive Sports: Postpartum Narratives of Sportswomen},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {8556-8559},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=198031},
        abstract = {The process of returning to competitive sport following childbirth is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon influenced by physiological recovery, psychological adjustment, and sociocultural conditions. This paper presents a detailed review of existing literature to understand how female athletes navigate the transition from motherhood back to competitive sport. Research indicates that although many athletes resume training within 6–12 weeks postpartum, recovery is highly individualized and depends on factors such as medical support, physical condition, and training structure. Psychological dimensions, including athletic identity, self-efficacy, and motivation, play a critical role in determining successful return. Furthermore, sociocultural constraints, particularly in developing contexts like India, significantly impact women's participation due to gender norms, lack of institutional support, and limited maternity policies. The paper identifies a critical gap in narrative-based and culturally grounded research on Indian sportswomen and emphasizes the need for qualitative exploration of their lived experiences.},
        keywords = {Postpartum athletes, return to sport, motherhood, athletic identity, sports psychology},
        month = {April},
        }