In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on the female athlete perspective and the broader engagement of women and girls in physical activity. This growing body of research highlights the unique challenges female athletes face and underscores the importance of addressing these through targeted interventions.
Injury Prevention in Female Athletes
Sports science has emphasized the importance of tailored strength and conditioning programs to address gender-specific injury risks. Female athletes are particularly susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and concussions due to both intrinsic factors, such as anatomical and hormonal differences, and extrinsic factors, including training practices and movement patterns. A well-designed strength and conditioning program can significantly enhance athletic performance while mitigating these risks by strengthening key muscle groups, improving neuromuscular control and optimizing biomechanics.
Non-contact ACL injuries remain a significant issue in youth and amateur athletics. Female athletes experience ACL tears at alarmingly higher rates than their male counterparts in sports such as basketball, volleyball and soccer. Despite the increased participation of women in sports over recent years, the disparity in ACL injury rates persists. Studies indicate that female basketball players are 3.5 times more likely than males to suffer an ACL injury, while female soccer players face a 2.8 times higher risk. These injuries often occur during rapid stops combined with lateral movements, with the ACL tearing in as little as 70 milliseconds due to improper movement mechanics.
Dynamic movement patterns play a critical role in ACL injury risk. Suboptimal mechanics, such as improper landing techniques or inefficient changes in direction, place undue stress on the knee joint. Addressing these risks involves focusing on both extrinsic factors, which can be modified through training and coaching, and intrinsic factors, which include biological predispositions.
Role of Training & Education
Physical education teachers, coaches and strength-training professionals can play a crucial role in reducing lower body injuries in female athletes. Key areas of focus include:
• Correcting poor motor control and biomechanics during jumping, landing and cutting maneuvers.
• Strengthening stabilizing muscles such as the glutes, hamstrings and core.
• Implementing sport-specific neuromuscular control drills to improve movement patterns.
• Incorporating neuromuscular training programs that focus on dynamic analysis and sport-specific exercises can help prevent injuries while enhancing athletic performance. These programs should become integral components of middle and high school physical education and athletic curricula.
• Embedding Best Practices in Schools Organizations such as Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) and the Long-Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD) offer frameworks for integrating these practices into school systems. CS4L aims to improve the health, wellness and sporting experiences of all Canadians by advancing physical literacy, enhancing performance and fostering lifelong participation in physical activity.
When girls and women develop physical literacy, they gain self-esteem, confidence and competence making them more likely to successfully partake in physical fitness and sports.
However, participation rates among girls in sports remain critically low. Only four percent of girls meet the recommended daily physical activity levels, according to a Canadian Health Measures Survey.
The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute found that 70 percent of girls report regular involvement in sports over the past year compared to 81 percent of boys. To close this gap, it is essential to implement strategies that actively promote and support girls’ engagement in sports and physical activity. Establishing inclusive and encouraging environments will play a vital role in fostering their growth and realizing their potential.
Addressing Bias in Sports Research & Leadership
Historically, sports-related research has predominantly focused on young, white males, resulting in training programs that often fail to address the specific needs of female athletes. This bias is evident in physical education curricula, community sports initiatives and high-performance training systems. Moreover, the prevailing culture in sports tends to prioritize the experiences of white, middle-class, heterosexual and able-bodied individuals, effectively excluding many women and girls in Canada, according to the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in Women’s Health.
Leadership opportunities in sports have also historically favoured men, particularly in areas like program development, valued competencies, professional networks and career progression. Addressing these inequities is essential to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. Ensuring that training, leadership positions and participation opportunities are accessible and fair for all women and girls will break down barriers and pave the way for a more representative and supportive sports culture.
Advancing Success of Women & Girls in Sports
By addressing injury prevention, embedding inclusive training programs in schools and challenging systemic biases in sports research and leadership, we can create a supportive environment where female athletes thrive. Promoting physical literacy and equitable opportunities not only benefits individual athletes but also strengthens the broader sports community.
