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Exercise is beneficial for women of all ages and is associated with long-term health benefits and enhanced well-being. Nevertheless, active women and girls are at risk for conditions resulting from sports and exercise participation. Because of their unique physiology, children are more susceptible to heat illness than adolescents and younger adults. Childhood sports injuries tend to involve the growth plate. Adolescents share some concerns with child athletes but have injuries more similar to those that occur in adults, especially ligament and tendon injuries. Adolescents and adult women are at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and stress fractures. For athletes in these age groups, physicians should screen for pelvic floor dysfunction and the female athlete triad, especially in patients with a history of stress fractures. In adult women, exercise can contribute to disease prevention and management. Continuation of an appropriate exercise routine helps older women maintain independence and prevent falls. (Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(6):489-495. Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Family Physicians.)
Evidence shows that exercise confers significant health benefits for women of all ages.1-6 Regular physical activity helps prevent disease and promote wellness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most-and preferably all-days of the week.7 Aerobic activities are ideal, but encouraging a woman to choose an exercise she enjoys (aerobic or anaerobic) promotes long-term adherence at all ages. The benefits of exercise, such as improved fitness and weight control, are apparent at a young age; additional benefits, such as the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, extend throughout the life span. Nevertheless, as the female athlete progresses from childhood to maturity, her physiology puts her at risk for a variety of conditions (Figure 1). This article examines some common conditions that physically active girls and women may encounter during different life stages.
Childhood (4 to 10 Years)
Many young girls participate in athletic training. This can predispose them to injury because their immature bodies may not be prepared for the challenges of high levels of activity. Physicians should be alert for heat-related illness and overuse injuries in young athletes.
HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
Heat-related illness can occur at any age, but children and older adults are at higher risk because...