| Generally males have a higher muscle to fat ratio | | | | As for prevention, women need to accept their |
| than females after puberty, which is just one | | | | bodies are naturally different to men & |
| reason why their bodies are able to better | | | | understand how this impacts upon them when |
| tolerate the rigors of contact sports, such as | | | | they choose to play football. Cross-training is just |
| football. The naturally higher level of testosterone | | | | one option. Swimming, a non-weight-bearing |
| in males adds muscle for greater strength, while | | | | exercise, helps strengthen muscles without over |
| girls, with a higher level of estrogen are usually | | | | straining hip/knee joints. |
| more flexible which makes their ligaments more | | | | Warming up correctly before training & using |
| supple. While an advantage in some sports, this | | | | compressive joint supports to retain correct |
| increased flexibility puts women at a higher injury | | | | position of knee/ankle joints is essential for all |
| risk in football since their lower muscle to fat ratio | | | | sportsmen and women. In fact, far infrared |
| is less able to keep their joints in a stable, safe | | | | therapy compressive joint supports and |
| position. | | | | thermomedic therapy garments may hold the |
| Women must also train much harder to obtain | | | | key to the prevention of long-term, debilitating |
| similar physical strength, an advantage that men | | | | injury for sports players of all disciplines and ages. |
| enjoy naturally. Such wear & tear can | | | | Diet is vital, particularly from a very young age. |
| further put women's bodies at risk of serious | | | | Medical research shows, even in male footballers, |
| injuries. Painful injuries, such as ruptured anterior | | | | more injuries now than in previous generations |
| cruciate ligaments in their knees can lead to a | | | | due to a poorer quality diet and less physical |
| life-long problem. Football-playing girls are also | | | | activity. This means our bodies are less robust, |
| more likely to suffer from chronic knee pain, shin | | | | making correct joint protection a high priority. |
| splints and stress fractures. Further, they are | | | | Choosing well-designed orthopedic therapy |
| more prone to ankle sprains, as well as hip and | | | | garments, obtaining specialist medical attention |
| lower back pain. Long term problems include | | | | & allowing adequate rest following any injury |
| arthritis pain. | | | | are vital, yet overlooked issues. As a parent or |
| Women also move differently to men, in a more | | | | team coach you can positively reinforce all these |
| upright & less flexed position which can | | | | issues upon your girls. Consider engaging a team |
| increase strain during actions such as, quick | | | | sports physiotherapist to individually assess each |
| changes of direction, landing from jumps & | | | | player for optimum performance & injury |
| body contact. The difference in woman's hip | | | | prevention. |
| design may also be another risk factor. | | | | |