The rise in anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women's football highlights “systemic gender inequalities in sport”, a UK parliamentary report said on Tuesday.
The Women and Equalities Commission said there was “a lack of understanding of the health and physiological needs of women and girls across sport”.
The report, Health Barriers for Girls and Women in Sport, cited the lack of shoes specifically designed for the needs of female footballers as a concern and called on governments to take action to address the issue. He called for the formation of a task force.
Committee chairperson Caroline Noakes said: “The arrival on the market four years ago of the world's first soccer cleats designed specifically for women's feet is a symbol of gender inequality and sexism in sport. ”.
ACL injuries in high-profile athletes have put a spotlight on that particular issue.
Australian striker Sam Kerr, who plays for Chelsea, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January. Other leading players Alexia Putelas, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson also suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
The committee said the response from the sports science field has been “disjointed and slow” and that research into sport and exercise is “overwhelmingly” carried out by men.
“There is no question that had a health issue of a similar scale affecting elite male football players occurred, we would have had a quicker, more thorough and better coordinated response.”
World athletes' association FIFPRO revealed in a report last year that injuries, including ACL injuries, have increased “significantly” due to increased demand in the women's game.
Athletes who compete and travel frequently for club or national teams are more likely to suffer lower limb injuries, according to the report.
The Women and Equalities Commission's report highlights concerns about sportswear and calls for brands to join a taskforce to help improve the physiological health of players.
“British female footballers have achieved great success at club and international level, but they have done so by wearing shoes that don't fit. Football cleats designed for women are rarely available; It is rarely, if ever, stocked or promoted in major UK high street sports retailers.”
The report said the problem went beyond the professional level and called on schools to “fundamentally” improve their teaching about women's physiology, including the menstrual cycle, when it comes to sport and exercise.
Again, the kit was a concern.
“There is overwhelming evidence that school PE and sports kit can have a devastating impact on girls' confidence to participate in and enjoy school sport,” the report said.
The report stated that apart from soccer, “'deplorable' and “harmful'' coaching practices such as public weigh-ins, fat shaming, and bullying in swimming and other sports in general are undermining trust in sports governing bodies. .
The UK government must respond to the report within two months.
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James Robson is https://twitter.com/James Saran Robson
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
