Sport

The Truth behind Female Athletes

“We all have the power to change the way we see ourselves, we just need to find the trigger that switches it on. I think that’s really important” – Sharon Harget

According to experts, if body image in sport is not managed well, it can be a big problem for females physically and mentally.

Sport plays a key role in Australian society, from the highly televised National Rugby League (NRL) to the Hyundai A-League. Despite the numerous health benefits in sports, a large gap remains between female and male participation.

Numerous social and environmental aspects affect participation in females including age, education and body image.

Dr Karen Nimmo; a clinical psychologist in high-performance athlete said,

“Body image issues can range between minor aspects such as feeling uncomfortable in the subscribed clothing for sporting codes to dangerously unhealthy eating disorders.”

“Body image issues in sport is a reflection of society as a whole”, said Dr Nimmo.

In adults, irregular social contact is a major factor associated with low levels of participation by women.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 59.9 percent of females aged 18 years and older participated at least once in a sporting or physical activity, in comparison to males participating at 65 percent.

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Participation Rates across States and Territories: https://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/276937/ABS-womens_participation_sport_physical_activity.pdf

Houda Chafic is young aspiring basketball player, who feels the pressures of body image saying,

“Body image has become a major impact in my ability to play sport as I do wear the hijab and had a big fear if people would judge me for what I looked like and what I wore”.

“Basketball not only keeps me fit and healthy but it allows me to express myself in ways I never have before,” Miss Chafic said.

The beneficial effects of sport with other physical activities, is prevalent in the scientific evidence illustrating a decrease of risk in cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.

 

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