Physiological and Medical Aspects That Put Women Soldiers at Increased Risk for Overuse Injuries. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Epstein, Yoram; Fleischmann, Chen; Yanovich, Ran; Heled, Yuval
• Is Part Of: Journal of strength and conditioning research. Volume 29(2015)Supplement 11
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: combat soldiers -- gender -- females -- exercise-related injuries; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Weight training -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Physical fitness -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-8011

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Epstein, Y, Fleischmann, C, Yanovich, R, and Heled, Y. Physiological and medical aspects that put women soldiers at increased risk for overuse injuries. J Strength Cond Res 29(11S): S107–S110, 2015—Anthropometric and physiological factors place female soldiers at a disadvantage relative to male soldiers in most aspects of physical performance. Average aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels are lower in women than in men. Thus, women have a lower overall work capacity and must exert themselves more than men to achieve the same output. The lower weight and fat-free mass and the higher body fat of women are associated with lower muscle strength and endurance, placing them at a disadvantage compared with men in performing military tasks such as lifting and carrying weights, or marching with a load. Working at a higher percentage of their maximal capacity to achieve the same performance levels as men, women tire earlier. Their smaller size, skeletal anatomy, and different bone geometry also predispose women to a higher incidence of exercise-related injuries. Consequently, the attrition rate of female soldiers in combat units is higher than that of their male counterparts. This review summarizes the literature on gender-related physiological and anatomical differences that put female soldiers at an increased risk of exercise-related injuries.