Female athletics are increasing in popularity every day. Because of this, female athletes must prepare their bodies for the demands of their sport just like any other athlete. In my opinion, strength training is the most powerful training tool that a female athlete can perform. Not only does strength training help to improve their performance, but more importantly, increased strength drastically helps to prevent inherent injury risks in females. This is why we “show no mercy” to the female clientele at my training facility.
Strength development is especially important for females because they have an increased risk of ACL tears and knee problems due to their hip to knee “Q-angle.” A strong “core,” hips, quads, and hamstrings can drastically decrease stress on the knee joint when female athletes land from a jump or change direction on the athletic field.
Research has also shown an increase in musculoskeletal and joint injuries during a female’s menstrual cycle. This is due to increased relaxin levels and increased flexibility and elasticity of connective tissue, such as in articular joints. Again, strong muscles can act as a “support system” to the female’s structure during this time of susceptibility and joint laxity.
Females also have an imbalance between their hamstrings and quadriceps. This imbalance is yet another contributor to their growing incidence of knee injuries. Correcting this imbalance with proper exercise selection is yet another way to drastically reduce a female’s risk.
In my opinion, strength training more than any other form of training can greatly reduce these inherent risks in females. I can go on and on regarding this topic. Check out my short article, “Should Females Train Differently Than Males?” for some more information on this misunderstood topic.
And don’t worry about female athletes getting too “bulky.” Check out the pictures below. These are three of our long time female athletes. Do any of them look too bulky from our training methods? I think not!
Jenn Mueller, track standout
Jenna Corrado, all-state softball athlete
Jill Hartung, soccer standout
Hopefully we will someday be able to put this topic to rest! Bottom line—all females should lift weights period.
Joe DeFranco is one of this countries most highly sought after performance enhancement specialists. He has trained over 500 high school and college athletes from various sports. This includes All-State and All-American performers in football, baseball, wrestling, basketball, track and field, lacrosse, and hockey. Thirty-one of Joe’s athletes have been drafted by the NFL. Joe has developed a reputation for achieving previously unheard of results with his athletes. He is considered one of the most highly respected trainers in the world. For more information, visit DeFrancosTraining.com.
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit us at www.EliteFTS.com.
Copyright© 2007 Elite Fitness Systems. All rights reserved.