Gynaecological implications of women's participation in sport
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Date
1997
Authors
Wahome, E. N.
Gathua, S. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Until the beginning of the seventies, there were always those who
maintained that athletic activities during those who maintained that
athletic activities during menstruation was dangerous and damaging to
health. Others observed that sporting activities during pregnancy were
lethal not only to the foetus but also the mother. There were still others
who believed that long distance running by girls would spoil their
womanhood. This was so until a few years back when women were
allowed to compete in races beyond 3000 m. Some educators were of the
opinion that swimming during menstruation increased the risks of water
entering the upper part of the vagina. All the above views were based on
instinctive judgement without any supporting scientific evidence. It is the
purpose of this paper to discuss the various gynaecological implications of
women's participation in sports with reference to recent research findings.
The' following gynaecological phenomena are considered: normal
menstruation, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoe, menorrhagia and
osteoporosis, pregnancy and general well being of females in sporting
activities.
Description
A paper presented at the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and dance 3rd Scientific Congress held on 11th - 15th September, 1997 at Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Menstrual function, Reproductive function, Women athletes