Mental and physical health implications of being a female athlete. (Copy)

Photo Taken: Summer 2021 at our girls summer soccer camp.

Hi New York City Girls Soccer Players. This week, we feel it is important to be transparent and inform our parents and athletes that this particular topic of gender roles and discrimination in sports is incredibly relevant to human development. It is proven that females who participate in athletics from a young age tend to be physically healthier as adults. Playing sports also helps concentration, anger management and overall mental health. However, when females experience discrimnation and abuse from men in the field, it causes unwanted trauma, stress and anxiety that is counterproductive to all the benefits. Constant exposure to gender discrimination, especially from a young age can lead females to have low self esteem issues, performance anxiety, sleep disorders and depression. It has also been discovered that female athletes are more likely to produce eating disorders due to intense pressures that are placed on them to look a certain way either for endorsements, publicity or just to be accepted. All of these factors aect development in young female athletes both physically and psychologically. We can assure you that here at SWEAT, our players' health is our absolute highest priority which is why we promote a physically and mentally safe environment for our girls to express themselves freely, stay active, and learn the sport with and from other females. Not many clubs push female empowerment in the way that we do. This club is for girls, by girls and that will always be of the utmost importance to us. 

Citation: Chang C, Putukian M, Aerni G. (2020) British Journal of Sports Medicine. Mental health issues and psychological factors in athletes: detection, management, eect on performance and prevention: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement—Executive Summary.” 

Written by: Lejla Elmazi