Did You Know? Stress fractures — tiny cracks in bone — can happen even if you don’t have osteoporosis. The right footwear and careful training can help prevent them.
Many organizations and agencies work on improving care for active women and educating them about how to take care of themselves. Here are a few places to start:
- The Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center offers information about exercise and bone health, amenorrhea (missing your period) and the risks of overtraining.
- The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offers education about the female athlete triad (disordered eating, menstrual problems and osteoporosis], bone health, safety for young athletes and other topics.
- This Medline Plus article from the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine discusses preventing and treating injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and tells one teen’s story.
- The Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by tennis legend Billie Jean King, is dedicated to increasing access to sports for women. The site offers a wide range of resources, including information on health, performance, benefits of participation and research.
- STOP Sports Injuries has a resources to help you avoid injuries for a wide range of sports.
- The NCAA offers information on the female athlete triad.
- The American College of Sports Medicine offers information for athletes on the female athlete triad.
- SHOTS: Health News from NPR offers this article on female athletes and nutrition.
- The Sports Concussion Institute offers information about the diagnosis and treatment of concussions.
Resources for Healthcare Providers
- Common injuries and ailments of the female athlete; pathophysiology, treatment and prevention
- Concussions affect women more adversely than men
- Key components and potential benefits of a comprehensive approach to women’s musculoskeletal health
- Low back pain in young athletes
- Nutrition for female athletes
- Prevention and treatment of swimmer’s shoulder
- Stress fractures
- Team physician consensus conference statements
- Women’s heart health and physically active lifestyle
