Any woman has the potential to match a man in terms of skill and success, but there are differences between us. Understanding and working with those is part of daily life and something that we have to deal with every day. While some may go to the obvious reproductive connotations of this statement, there are other ways the genders differ physically as well. For example, being active is a great way to keep healthy and have fun while doing it. But statistics show that women in sports actually suffer injuries at a higher rate than their male counterparts. How does this apply to your daily life, and what can you do to stop it?
Knowing Your Body
While the bulk of the studies done focus on female athletes, you don’t have to be a professional in order to deal with some of these issues. To put it in perspective, an athletic person may put their body under extreme duress, but they are also generally the person with a body best set to deal with wear and tear. An inactive person trying to push themselves too hard is also at risk. In addition, we know some of the pressures that being overweight put on the body. Here are some common injuries that many people see women as being especially susceptible to:
Ankle sprains: In fairness, this is the most common sports injury period across both genders. However, women are more likely to get them than men.
Shoulder troubles: This covers a wide spread of ailments, including rotator cuff problems (along with tendon inflammation, or tendinitis) and instability.
Knee injuries: Another overarching category, this includes irritation under the kneecap (known as patellofemoral syndrome) and ligament damage (including ACL tears). These are generally more common for athletes, soccer and basketball players in particular.
Stress fractures: These are common in the foot or lower leg in women with what is called the “female athlete triad.” This is a combination of inadequate calorie and nutrient intake, irregular menstrual periods, and bone loss. Note that eating disorders, which women tend to deal with more on average, can also contribute.
Plantar fasciitis: Things like improper alignment of the foot and flat feet both play a part in these small tears in tissue along the arch and heel. This is another common athletic injury.
There are many theories as to why women are at greater risk. Some include less muscle mass and body fat to cushion impact, along with a wider pelvis, which changes the alignment of the knee and ankle. Nutrition also plays a role. Anyone with less calcium and vitamin D is more likely to have injuries, but women are more likely to have those deficiencies in the first place.
Keeping Safe
In general, good practices during workout and athletic events can do a lot, such as using a spotter for weightlifting or making sure that your play area is free of tripping hazards or awkward places for you to land. Diet also plays a role. Getting adequate protein, calcium, and essential nutrients keeps your bodily structure strong to reduce the chance of injuries, though this isn’t a flawless prevention method.
In some cases, though, these injuries may occur through no fault of your own. The negligence of another motorist, a failure to clearly mark an unsafe area or slip hazard, faulty equipment or products created by a company trying rush materials out—all of these can lead to a potential personal injury incident. Even though there is no fault of your own, the aftereffects can be the same. These include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income during recovery
- Potential permanent effects
- Pain and anguish
- Death, in some cases
None of these factors are to be taken lightly, which is why pursuing legal action may serve as a good idea. According to personal injury lawyer William P. Boyle of the Boyle Law Firm, “in any personal injury or wrongful death claim, timing is critical. While legal action may be the furthest thing from your mind when you are focused on your recovery, the reality is that your case can expire, as can your opportunity to claim compensation.” This means that when you realize that your personal injury cases has had a severe impact on you, one of the first things you should do is look up your legal options with a lawyer. As a woman, your body may be subject to certain injuries, but your options afterward are exactly the same.