Injuries a big factor in dropout
Female participation in sport declines at twice the rate of boys by age 14. One of the main factors for this decline is the timing of puberty; growth and development is occurring at its peak rate in girls aged eight to 13, which is when many girls drop out of sport. A growth spurt can significantly impact the motor skills and coordination of movements of any athlete.
Adolescent girls who participate in sport are more likely to experience overuse injuries than boys. Specifically, girls are at higher risk for lower extremity overuse injuries; knee pain, shin splints, low back pain due to poor hip mechanics. Longer limbs and widening hips make coordinating movements more difficult, and girls can have harder time coordinating fundamental movement skills during or after puberty. Girls that are active in sport during this time may develop muscle imbalances or compensatory movement patterns that increase their risk of injury.
Early specialization in a single sport can also increase the risk of injury to adolescent female athletes. Multiple types of activities and sports that vary in movement skills required can help decrease the chance of injury.
Non-contact ACL (knee) injuries are common in females due to poor mechanics and lack of coordination of dynamic movements that puts shear force through the knee and its supporting ligaments, whereas boys are more likely to injure the knee on contact. Growth spurts during a season may lead to poor coordination and stability of the core, reduced mobility of the hip, both of which leave the ligaments of the knee vulnerable to injury if dysfunctional movement patters are not assessed and corrected.
Identifying and correcting dysfunctional movement patterns during and after puberty will decrease risk of injury and help keep growing girls in the game at the time they are most vulnerable to be dropping out of sport.
Dr. Chloe Aman is a chiropractor with the Ridge Spine and Sport Center and a member of the Females in Action Moving and Empowering Committee.