Body Impact

As females go through adolescence, their bodies undergo significant changes that can impact their susceptibility to injury. This includes factors such as growth plates, height and weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes. Both of which can affect coordination and balance. It's essential for young women to understand their bodies during this as increased awareness can help prevent injuries. By staying informed about these changes, they can take proactive steps to protect themselves while staying active and healthy.

Growth Plates

Children's bones have growth plates located at the ends of bones that are essential for bone growth and development.

Growth plates are made of cartilage, which gradually hardens and turns into bone as children grow.
Growth plates are weaker than the surrounding bone, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making them more vulnerable to injury.
They are especially fragile during rapid growth periods, such as growth spurts.
An injury to a growth plate can interfere with normal bone growth, potentially affecting the bone's length or shape.
Protecting growth plates during childhood is important to ensure healthy bone development.
Because the growth plate is the last part of the bone to harden while kids are growing, children and teens are more likely to suffer from growth plate fractures or injuries.
These growth plate injuries can stem from repetitive or over use or a traumatic injury.

Research Gap/Introduction to Hormones

More women are participating in sports at both amateur and professional levels.
Most sports research is still based on male athletes; Only about 35% of research participants are female.
Women are studied less often because hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can make research more complex.
When women are included, researchers often ignore hormonal changes or only test them during the follicular phase.
More research on female athletes is needed to improve training, performance, and injury prevention based on hormonal changes.

Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen is a hormone mainly produced by the ovaries (with small amounts made by other tissues).
It helps thicken the uterine lining, mature eggs, and support bone health.
Estrogen also increases "feel-good" chemicals, which can improve mood and reduce fatigue.
Progesterone is produced after ovulation by the corpus luteum.
If pregnancy occurs, the placenta continues producing progesterone.
Progesterone is known as the "maintenance hormone" because it helps keep the uterus prepared for pregnancy.

Menstrual Cycle Impact

Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5)

Uterine lining is shed (period begins).
Estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels.
Low hormone levels can increase muscle and joint inflammation.
Higher risk of soft-tissue injuries (muscle strains and ligament tears).
Common symptoms: cramps, fatigue, mood swings, lower energy, irritability, and reduced focus.
Many athletes can still perform well despite these symptoms.

Follicular Phase (Days 1–13)

Begins on the first day of the menstrual cycle and overlaps with the menstrual phase.
Ovarian follicles mature, and one egg becomes dominant.
Estrogen gradually rises while progesterone stays low.
Rising estrogen can improve energy, strength, endurance, and recovery.
Generally the lowest injury-risk phase.
Near ovulation, higher estrogen can relax ligaments, increasing the risk of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries.

Ovulation (Around Day 14)

A mature egg is released from the ovary.
Estrogen reaches its highest level.
High estrogen increases ligament laxity (looseness).
Greater risk of ACL, ligament, and tendon injuries due to reduced joint stability.

Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)

Body prepares for a possible pregnancy.
Progesterone peaks, while estrogen remains moderately high before both hormones decrease.
Common symptoms: bloating, higher body temperature, fatigue, and PMS.
Fatigue and PMS may lead to reduced coordination, slower reaction times, and lower performance.
Hormone levels drop at the end of this phase if pregnancy does not occur, leading to the next menstrual period.