QUESTION: I have a young granddaughter who is very interested in gymnastics. She is just entering her womanhood, and I am afraid that she will be injured by all the strenuous activity involved.
Shouldn't women limit their sports activity?
ANSWER: I think you're suggesting that sports and exercise are somehow bad for women.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Exercise and sports participation can help anyone, male or female, maintain fitness and bring on an increased sense of well-being.
To talk about limiting women's athletic participation because of risk of injury is as silly as limiting men's participation because they need to wear athletic supporters. There is still the lingering myth that exercise will hurt women or impair their femininity or reproductive health.
Yet, women were once expected to run a household at a time when water had to be hauled up from a well, laundry had to be physically scrubbed and wrung out, and rugs had to be beaten clean.
If a woman was lucky enough to have a servant to do this heavy work, that servant was usually a woman too. A fit woman is not more likely to be injured when participating in sports than a fit man.
There are a few accommodations that women athletes must make to participate in sports, however.
A large-breasted woman should wear a comfortable sports bra that will give her support for jumping or running. Women are more prone to knee and ankle injuries because of their wide pelvis, but proper stretching before exercise along with good shoes will reduce this risk.
There is no reason why a healthy pregnant woman should not continue to participate in sport or exercise.
She should be careful of her changing center of balance and of her lowered target heart rate, however. As for your young granddaughter, she will gain much from her sports participation, as she is watched closely by her coaches, who will assure that her activity is appropriate for her age and build.
And you will enjoy every minute!
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
