A piece by Anna Kessel posted at
guardian.co.uk talks about the high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other injuries experienced by female athletes. Some are calling this an epidemic. That is most likely hyperbole, but the problem is real. The solution, however, may not be difficult or complicated. For instance, strength training, especially if started at an early age (i.e., under 15), would prevent many if not most of these injuries. The first two risk factors listed at the end of Kessel's piece make this clear:
Adolescence After puberty, risk increases by between two and eight times. While men's muscles gain power, women's become more flexible - this is dangerous without sufficient muscle to keep joints stable.
Ligament dominance Without strong muscle development, women compensate using ligaments to absorb force on the knee.
So do the results when strength training is put into practice along with other measures:
Strength and conditioning programmes have helped White [England and Arsenal defender Faye White], and the England team doctor, Pippa Bennett, believes increased preventative measures in the under-15s through to the senior side are bringing the casualties down. 'You've only got to look at the results of our agility tests to see the improvements,' Dr Bennett says. 'We did that test on the senior team five years ago and we were concerned by the movement patterns being at risk with quite a few of them, but with the strength and conditioning that's all changed. They are fitter for their sport, they learn about the alignment of knee joints and how to move safely.'
Parents and coaches, then, greatly benefit young athletic girls when they encourage them to start training with weights early on. And let us put to rest the silly idea that a girl is somehow remaking herself into a boy when she builds up her muscles; having a strong, healthy body is not the exclusive privilege of boys.
Strength training makes female athletes better athletes (no matter the sport). More important, it makes them less prone to serious injury.
