Female Athlete Month
This month we are focusing on the female athlete. Females have different needs when it comes to training and performance compared to our male counterparts.
Knowing these differences ensures we set females up for success through the whole spectrum of ages.
On social media, we have looked at specific challenges facing female athletes, such as the Female Triad Syndrome, mental health and post-partum return to exercise.
Check us out @defysportsandphysio to learn more!
COVID-19 Update
We are well aware of the potential of a second wave and subsequent lockdown.
We have taken the appropriate precautions to ensure that if this happens that you can still receive treatment and stay on track with your plan of action.
We are encouraging clients to get familiar with our valuable virtual sessions, to minimize unnecessary interactions, and to encourage a transition should in-person be limited. You will always be working one on one with your therapist; in this case on a Zoom video call.
Most insurance plans cover this Video Physiotherapy Sessions. Unsure if yours does? Ask us and we’ll try to help.
Female Triad Syndrome
Many athletes have concerns about the size and shape of their bodies. Being a highly competitive athlete and participating in a sport that requires you to exert yourself can be contributors and often leads females to experience Female Triad Syndrome. (FTS)
What is it?
FTS is a combination of three conditions: amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and disordered eating. A female athlete can have one, two, or all three parts of the triad.
- Amenorrhea – Exercising intensely and being in a caloric deficit can lead to decreases in hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle.
- Osteoporosis – Low estrogen levels and poor nutrition, primarily calcium intake, can lead to a decrease in bone density and formation.
- Disordered Eating – Many women try to lose weight as a way to improve their athletic performance. The disordered eating that accompanies FTS can range from not eating enough calories to maintain energy demands, to avoiding carbohydrates and fats as these certain types of food are portrayed as “unhealthy”.
Postpartum Return to Exercise
The female body undergoes many changes during and after pregnancy. Our Physiotherapist Julie, who recently gave birth, shares her helpful tips on returning to exercise.
Tip 1: Start early activation of the pelvic floor and core. This could be some pelvic floor activation, or inner abdominal exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing. Both are a great way to help the pelvic floor to relax and assist with hypertonicity.
Tip 2: Listen to your body, and be patient with yourself. Once you feel confident in your pelvic and abdominal exercises, and you aren’t experiencing pain or incontinence, you can start to progress your other exercises.
Tip 3: If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or incontinence it is highly recommended to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
Fun Brain Busters
Q: The names of 5 female athletes have been split into 2-letter segments. The letters in each segment are in order, but the segments have been scrambled. Your task is to rearrange the segments to identify the athlete.
LE PE MI GG NG YF
IA NA MS RE SE LL WI
KO OL RB GA UT
EE JO JA KE RS YN ER IE CK
LE CH MI AN EL KW
Answers:
Answers: 1. Peggy Fleming 2. Serena Williams 3. Olga Korbut 4. Jackie Joyner-Kersee 5. Michelle Kwan
