Rehabilitation and Return to Sport of Female Athletes

Abstract

The increase in female participation in athletics over the past decade has been accompanied by an increase in injury rates as a result of higher demands placed on athletes. Although previous studies have shown that anatomic, biomechanical, hormonal, and psychological factors may play a role in differences between men and women that can influence injury risk in athletes, there is still a lack of understanding of sex-related mechanisms of injury, guidelines, and prevention strategies. This article provides an overview of common injuries affecting female athletes. We present guidelines for upper-and lower-extremity injury rehabilitation, focusing on considerations specific to the female athlete with the goal to facilitate a safe return to sports. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.

Adaptation to full weight‐bearing following disuse in rats: The impact of biological sex on musculoskeletal recovery

“…Injured athletes who have been immobilized or have suffered from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury still show muscle atrophy and weakness more than a year after intervention and return to full weight‐bearing (Grimby et al., 1980 ; Hortobágyi et al., 2000 ), which can result in reduced physical performance and increase the risk of future injury (Ingersoll et al., 2008 ; Mendias et al., 2013 ). However, studies comparing post‐injury capability in adults of both sexes have yielded conflicting results (Gianakos et al., 2022 ; Maguire et al., 2021 ; Sutton & Bullock, 2013 ), and rehabilitation protocols remain identical for both sexes (Adams et al., 2012 ; Maguire et al., 2021 ).…”

Return to Play in the Professional Athlete

“…81 They are also reported to be more vulnerable to anxiety and loss of self-worth after an injury, potentially affecting RTP time. 87 The financial cost of an injury to both the team and the player can be substantial. Perhaps unsurprisingly, NFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction had an overall lower mean salary and shorter career spans.…”

“…81 They are also reported to be more vulnerable to anxiety and loss of self-worth after an injury, potentially affecting RTP time. 87…”