Women in sports
By Dr. Robert F. Weiss
As the number of women athletes increase, so does the number of studies investigating their physiological role in exercise. There is no doubt today as to women's skills in distance, time and endurance -- women are breaking and making new records.
Norway's Grete Waitz won the New York City marathon nine times. Waitz also won a number of world titles and the silver medal for Norway at the 1984 Summer Olympics, an achievement that helped spur greater interest in running among women.
Some of the contenders for the 2012 Olympic marathon in London include Kara Goucher, who is an American who finished fifth in the Boson Marathon recently only seven months after giving birth! Paula Radcliffe is a former British world champ who is 37 years old and still a favorite. She does, however, have to battle injuries. Mary Keitany of Kenya shined to victory in the recent London Marathon.
There is a psychological and a physiological benefit from sports related events for both men and women. In training programs, it has been shown that the aerobic conditioning is the same for men and women.
There is, however, a difference in strength in men and women which is primarily due to the anabolic effect of testosterone in the male's muscular system. Studies have shown that sports related injuries are higher in women involving the overuse syndrome. It is thought that the woman's wider hips may cause foot, ankle, knee and lower back problems as the wider outward foot position may cause a greater amount of pronation (rolling of the foot toward the midline of the body).
It is important to have the biomechanical foot imbalances evaluated and possibly treated with orthotics for better balance and prevention of foot, leg and lower back problems.
Columnist Robert F. Weiss, a sports podiatrist, was a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Marathon Trials. Weiss has a practice in Darien; The Foot & Ankle Institute of Darien. His column runs every other Thursday in The Hour. For info visit his Web site www.therunning doctor.net.