Women's football, like all sports, comes with its fair share of physical injuries. From strains and sprains to really serious injuries, female football players are just as prone to getting hurt as their male counterparts. However, the physical toll of the game can often go unreported or unrecognized, as women's football is not as visible or commercially successful as men's football. This lack of visibility can make it harder for female players to access the same medical care quality and support as men players. All of this makes injury recovery something more difficult for women.
Injuries may harm mental health, and this is especially true in women's football. The pressure to perform at a high level, combined with the physical and emotional demands of the game, can take a toll on a player's mental well-being.
For female players, the added stress of navigating a male-dominated industry and dealing with potentially limited resources can compound the mental health effects of injuries. Coaches, teammates, and support staff need to recognize the signs of mental distress and provide adequate support to help players cope with the challenges of injury.
While it is impossible to eliminate the risk of injury in sports, some actions are useful to reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries in women's football. These include proper training and conditioning, using the right equipment and techniques, and ensuring that players have access to quality medical care and support.
"The use of GPS technology is essential for injury prevention" José María Pinilla, physical trainer of Sport Extremadura.
Additionally, fostering a culture of respect and inclusion within teams can help to create a positive and supportive environment that can reduce the risk of both physical and mental injuries. By prioritizing the health and well-being of female football players, we can create a safer and more sustainable future for the sport.
Fundación Albacete has been taking advantage of GPS technology for more than a season to prevent injuries
GPS technology is having an increasingly positive impact on women's football. Controlling the loads, monitoring injuries, and adequately planning the training sessions can reduce muscular injuries by up to 45%.
"OLIVER is an innovative system that allows me to know which players are overtrained or need more load" José María Pinilla, physical trainer of Sport Extremadura Femenino.
Designed with a gender perspective. When we talk about gender perspective, we mean that the metric thresholds are modifiable for the values handled in the discipline. In addition, it leaves aside the placement in the uncomfortable vest to give way to a calf sleeve, which achieves a comfort that female players have never felt before when using GPS technology.
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