As the participation of women and girls in sports continues to increase, there has been a noticeable uptick in injuries that could prematurely end their involvement. A group of 109 researchers, including three from the University of Calgary, have put forth 56 recommendations aimed at preventing injuries specific to women and girls. Carolyn Emery, co-leading the group funded by the International Olympic Committee, highlighted the escalating rates of sports participation among female athletes, accompanied by a rise in injuries and concussions. Emery emphasized the historical focus on injury prevention in male and elite athletes, leaving a significant gap in addressing the needs of women and girls in sports.
The landscape of women’s sports in Canada has seen significant growth, with the establishment of leagues such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League, the Northern Super League in soccer, and Canada’s women excelling in the Rugby World Cup. The upcoming arrival of the WNBA in Canada with the Toronto Tempo further demonstrates the increasing prominence of women in sports. Emery pointed out that athletes at elite levels are resilient, having navigated their sporting careers from a young age. However, injuries remain a leading cause of dropout among female athletes, underscoring the importance of injury prevention strategies.
The surge in female hockey registrations in Canada, reaching 114,000 in 2024-25 with a target of 170,000 by 2030, is notable. Despite this growth, a Hockey Canada steering committee noted the lack of consistent injury prevention education tailored for girls playing hockey, contributing to a decline in female participation in the sport. The need for enhanced research and prevention strategies was emphasized in the consensus paper, advocating for equitable funding, trained medical staff, safe environments free from body shaming, and mandatory neuromuscular warm-ups to reduce both initial and recurring injuries.
Emily Heming, a researcher from Calgary, highlighted the underrepresentation of females in sports and sports science research, emphasizing the necessity to address differences in injury patterns and support available to women and girls in sports. Addressing the dropout rates among girls in sports, Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO of Canadian Women and Sport, underscored the impact of injuries on female athletes and the lack of dedicated research in injury prevention for women and girls.
Carly McKay, a co-author of the consensus paper and associate professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, pointed out the disparities in resources and opportunities between women’s and men’s sports teams. Recognizing the need for context-specific research and evidence-based strategies tailored to women and girls in sports, McKay emphasized the importance of considering the unique challenges and environments they face.
With nearly 270,000 women and girls actively participating in soccer in Canada, the link between anterior cruciate ligament tears and menstrual cycles in female athletes has drawn attention. FIFA has funded a study to investigate the potential impact of menstrual cycles on severe knee injuries in women’s soccer. These findings underscore the need for tailored injury prevention strategies to address the distinct risks and challenges faced by female athletes.
The heightened risk of ACL injuries and concussions among female athletes, along with the lack of comprehensive understanding of these risks, calls for proactive measures in injury prevention. Emery highlighted the need for targeted strategies such as tackle training, neuromuscular warm-ups, and potential modifications to game rules to mitigate the incidence of concussions and joint injuries among female athletes.