The Impact of Social Stereotypes As They Relate to Training Practices of Female Athletes Competing In High-Risk Sports

Author

Lisa Ciaravella, Lynn University

Date of Award

5-1-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Granting Institution

Lynn University

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Program

Sports and Athletics Administration

Department

School of Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Richard Young

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate if a lack of conditioning and the increased rate of injury among female athletes are due primarily to social stereotypes associated with women's athletics. Ten professional female basketball players and ten high school basketball player were surveyed to determine how strength training is conceptualized and what role strength training had played in injury prevention. The study revealed that the increased rate of injury among female athletes are due to time constraints and/or lack of emphasis on strength and conditioning imposed on the athletes themselves for reasons of not strength training as opposed to social stereotypes associated with women's athletics such as issues in masculinity and as traditionally type casting women as not physically apt. Although young female athletes are being introduced to weight training at a younger age the rate of injury still remains constant among the youth and professional athletes. Female athletes are starting to train physically and emotionally within the same infrastructure as male athletes, however females are unable to perform to the ability of male athletes with little or no deviations in injury rate.

Recommended Citation

Ciaravella, L. (2002). The impact of social stereotypes ss they telate to training practices of female athletes competing In high-risk sports [Master's thesis, Lynn University]. SPIRAL. https://spiral.lynn.edu/etds/73