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Objective. To determine whether a relationship exists between the functional movement analysis (FMA) score and lower-body injury rates in high-performance adolescent female football players. Method. Observations included a baseline FMA score and medical injury reports. Data were collected from 24 players' injury and illness records over a 38-week training period. All football injuries requiring medical attention (including stiffness, strains, contusions and sprains) and/or the removal from a session, leading to training restriction, were included in the study. Off-season weeks were excluded. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the strength of the linear relationship between the FMA score and the number of medical visits, and between the number of medical visits and the number of training-restriction days. Results. There was no evidence of a relationship between the FMA score and injury risk in teenage female football players (r=0.016; p=0.940). A strong indication of a cyclical season in the training schedule was noticed over the 38-week study period. A substantive negative correlation (r=-0.911; p=0.032) was seen in the number of medical visits compared with the training-restriction days. Injuries during two peak periods could have resulted from overuse, increased training load, stress and overtraining. Conclusion. It could not be shown that a high FMA score was associated with a lower risk of injury. The ultimate goal is thus to reduce recurrent injury in players with a high FMA count. The regular medical visits observed suggest that player condition is maintained by means of reducing injury and managing training-restriction days. Our findings are in accordance with previous studies in terms of the lower limb being the most frequent region of injury, specifically the knee. This study supports previous suggestions that it is essential to develop a prevention strategy to measure trauma and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Injury prevention programme delivery on adherence and injury risk, specifically involving regular supervisions with coaches and players on programme execution on field, has not been examined. Aim The objective of this cluster-randomised study was to evaluate different delivery methods of an effective injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) on adherence and injury risk among female youth football teams. Method During the 4-month 2011 football season, coaches and 13-year-old to 18-year-old players from 31 tier 1-3 level teams were introduced to the 11+ through either an unsupervised website ('control') or a coachfocused workshop with ('comprehensive') and without ('regular') additional supervisions by a physiotherapist. Team and player adherence to the 11+, playing exposure, history and injuries were recorded. Results Teams in the comprehensive and regular intervention groups demonstrated adherence to the 11+ programme of 85.6% and 81.3% completion of total possible sessions, compared to 73.5% for teams in the control group. These differences were not statistically significant, after adjustment for cluster by team, age, level and injury history. Compared to players with low adherence, players with high adherence to the 11+ had a 57% lower injury risk (IRR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.00). However, adjusting for covariates, this betweengroup difference was not statistically significant (IRR=0.44, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.06). Conclusion Following a coach workshop, coach-led delivery of the FIFA 11+ was equally successful with or without the additional field involvement of a physiotherapist. Proper education of coaches during an extensive preseason workshop was more effective in terms of team adherence than an unsupervised delivery of the 11+ programme to the team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To examine the relationship between body mass index and injury as well as examine injury according to playing position. In addition we sought to describe injury as it pertains to female Gaelic football. Data was collected using an online questionnaire. Archived data was also collected from a ladies Gaelic football team located in Washington, USA. Respondents included 74 recreationally trained female Gaelic footballers aged 15 - 45 years and a playing experience of 1 - 24 years. Respondents were asked to recall injuries that resulted from participation in Gaelic football. A Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to describe the relationship between BMI and injury. Analysis of variance was performed to examine injury according to playing position. There was no significant correlation between BMI and injury and no significant difference was seen for injury among the different playing positions. There was no significant difference in BMI between injured and non-injured players. A total of 98 injuries were recorded among the 52 injured players with an incidence rate of 1.88 injuries per injured player. Lower limb injuries accounted for 46.9% of injuries, while the upper limb accounted for 38.8%. The most frequent injury location were the fingers (22.5%) followed by the ankle and foot (19.4%). Despite the limitations associated with retrospective studies, this study provides valuable information regarding injury in female Gaelic footballers. As Gaelic football is new to North America, these results may help coaches and trainers identify problematic injuries and develop appropriate training programs to reduce both incidence and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Founded by four friends in 2006, the fan group Ladies of Besiktas are supporters of one of the largest football clubs in Turkey, with hundreds of active members and representatives in almost all Turkish cities as well as in Germany and Japan. On their official Facebook page their mission is listed as reconciling the three seemingly contradictory concepts of ‘women’, ‘football’ and ‘fandom’ in Turkey. Their main fight is directed against the gender inequality and violence inside the stadia. They march into Besiktas’s Inönü Stadium dressed in identical black and white scarves and jackets and blow whistles to mute the male fans who use foul language. This article will link the emergence of the fan group Ladies of Besiktas to the political changes in the first half of the 20th century in Turkey and elaborate on its effect on the disruption of gender norms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We investigated kicking velocity and physical, technical, and tactical match performance for under-18 (U18) female football players and evaluated the effect of using a newly developed lighter smaller ball. Ten regional league teams participated. Maximal ball velocity was 4±1% higher when kicking the new ball (NB) compared with the standard ball (SB) in a laboratory testing situation (23.2±0.4 vs. 22.4±0.3ms−1; p <.05). Mean HR was similar during games with NB and SB (169±2 vs. 170±2bmin−1; p >.05), but lower-limb muscular RPE was lower with NB (4.2±0.4 vs. 5.2±0.3; p <.05). The number of activity changes (1387±76 vs. 1401±55), total distance covered (9.09±0.25 vs. 9.11±0.25km) and high-intensity running (1.04±0.08 vs. 1.11±0.07km) were not different between NB and SB (p >.05). High-intensity running decreased (p <.05) from 0–20 to 60–80min with NB (34%) and SB (37%). The number and success rate of long and short passes did not differ between NB and SB (p >.05). In conclusion, physiological demands were high in youth female football games, and decrements in running performance occurred towards the end of games. The players kicked faster and reported lower muscular exertion during games played with a lighter smaller ball, but locomotor activities, heart rate and overall technical-tactical game performance remained unaffected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The objective of the present randomised controlled trial was to study the effect of a neuromuscular warm-up programme on performance tests in youth female football. Methods: Four youth female football teams with players aged 12-16 years were randomised into an intervention group and control group. The intervention was a 15-min neuromuscular warm-up programme carried out twice a week during the 11-week study period. Baseline and follow-up measurements of performance were made indoors and included the star excursion balance test, a countermovement jump test, a triple-hop for distance test, a modified Illinois agility test, and 10- and 20-m sprint tests. Results: Fifty-two players (intervention 28; control 24) took part in baseline measurements, and after dropout, 41 players (intervention 23; control 18) were included for analysis. Minor positive changes were seen in the control group compared to the intervention group for a sub-score of the star excursion balance test ( P < 0.05) and in the modified Illinois agility test ( P < 0.05). No improvement was seen in the intervention group from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions: The study showed that a neuromuscular warm-up programme carried out during 11 weeks did not improve performance in youth female football. This could indicate that the programme does not contain sufficient stimulus to improve performance. A low player attendance at training sessions, and low specificity between exercises in the warm-up programme and the evaluated performance tests may also contribute to the lack of effect. Level of evidence: I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationship between body mass index and injury as well as examine injury according to playing position. In addition we sought to describe injury as it pertains to female Gaelic football. Data was collected using an online questionnaire. Archived data was also collected from a ladies Gaelic football team located in Washington, USA. Respondents included 74 recreationally trained female Gaelic footballers aged 15 - 45 years and a playing experience of 1 - 24 years. Respondents were asked to recall injuries that resulted from participation in Gaelic football. A Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to describe the relationship between BMI and injury. Analysis of variance was performed to examine injury according to playing position. There was no significant correlation between BMI and injury and no significant difference was seen for injury among the different playing positions. There was no significant difference in BMI between injured and non-injured players. A total of 98 injuries were recorded among the 52 injured players with an incidence rate of 1.88 injuries per injured player. Lower limb injuries accounted for 46.9% of injuries, while the upper limb accounted for 38.8%. The most frequent injury location were the fingers (22.5%) followed by the ankle and foot (19.4%). Despite the limitations associated with retrospective studies, this study provides valuable information regarding injury in female Gaelic footballers. As Gaelic football is new to North America, these results may help coaches and trainers identify problematic injuries and develop appropriate training programs to reduce both incidence and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Football is primarily a team game, team, which involves direct contact with the opponent, and seeking multilateral athlete, the complexity of movements, as well as its various working conditions. Mastery level corresponds to executions that rely primarily on skills highly automated, with elements of originality, risk, execution giving a high rating. And all this also applies to girls who want to practice football. Therefore and girls must implement the idea that, without proper selection and training in our country, there will be soccer women to live up to internationally competitive. Methods. The research was conducted during a eight months - between March to October 2011 - and had three distinct phases. The first step was to study the literature related to our research questions. The stage II, the preliminary experiment was conducted in 2011, the Sports Club CFR Constanta, a total of 30 sports. Based on observations made during this phase, discussions with coaches of other female football team, the analysis based on questionnaire survey and from data processing, we decided to move to the next stage - basic experiment. In stage Third, the basic experiment, somatosensory function measurements after we crossed the dividing subjects in the control and experimental groups and performed specific technical tests. At the end of the experiment were processed and plotted statistic data based on their mathematical conclusions and recommendations were made which led to complete research and its practical implementation in this paper. Conclusions After applying the pedagogical experiment experimental program and statistical analysis results were found: 1 .Implementation of training programs specially designed for newcomers football player led to obtain significantly better in the experimental group compared to control group, the indicators of technical training. Thus, of the 5 samples evaluated, experimental group was significantly better in four of them, namely: keeping the ball, fairway accuracy, shot distance and dribble among landmarks. Evidence that the differences were not significant between the two tests was the driving speed of the ball on line. 2. Control group obtained significantly better results in final testing, from baseline, just to maintain evidence and precision ball kick. At the other three samples, recorded the final testing results were statistically insignificant, compared to the initial testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From its inception until today, the game of football has seen considerable progress without limits foresee this. Considering that nearly all countries in the world is developing a national championship football, we conclude that it - football game - is the most popular sport development area in the world. But achieving high performance in football is conditional on early detection as real girls practicing the qualities for soccer, the application of scientific criteria in their selection and not least, a quality education. Because until now, as our knowledge in our country there is a selection model for women's football, we believe that our scientific approach puts the "cornerstone" necessary for achieving it. Methods In addition to data from the study of literature, to have a complete selection and initiation of female debutantes in football, I had a poll, the coaches who run these teams. Through this survey we wanted to see how it is perceived among the coaches, the importance of selection in women's football. The questionnaire contains questions designed, including the importance of selection issues in women's football and to highlight ways of achieving this and was administered to 15 female football coaches in the Women's Football League in Romania. Conclusions After analyzing the responses to the questionnaire were applied to the following conclusions: - main component of training at this level is the technical training followed by the physical; - training methods preferred by coaches at this age are moving games (relay circuits with different technical elements, etc.); - assessing the physical and technical player frequency is satisfactory - the beginning and end of each preparation; - most important measures that should be applied for that girls who choose to turn to football training does not stop after just a few weeks are science-based selection, the actual results obtained from the tests and trials and the application training of modem and attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified the attacking strategies that lead to goal scoring opportunities in women's football (soccer). All regular season games (n = 34) of the 2010/2011 W-League football competition were coded using performance analysis. Variables described the attacking strategies employed by teams and their association with goal scoring. It was shown that 24% (p < .001) of goals were the result of a cross (a distribution made from a wide area to a central area in front of goal). Further analysis demonstrated that 26% of corner kicks resulted in a shot at goal (p < .001). It was concluded that attacking through the wide areas of the field followed by a cross into a central zone inside the 18-yard box was the most effective strategy for creating goal scoring opportunities in women's football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American football is one of the leading causes of athletic-related injuries. Injury rates in female elite players are mostly unknown. We hypothesized that the injury rates of female was comparable to those in men's football during practice, as well as games. From 2009 to 2011, injury data were collected from the German female national team during training camps, World Championship 2010 and International friendly matches. The injury was categorized by location on the body and recorded as fracture/dislocation, strain, concussion, contusion or other injury. Injury rates were determined based on the exposure of an athlete to a game or practice event. The injury rate was calculated as the ratio of injuries per 1000 athlete exposures (AE). The rate of injury was significantly higher during games (58.8/1000 AE) than practices [16.3/1000 AE, (P<0.01)]. Furthermore, the injury rate in the tryouts was significantly higher (24.05/1000 AE) compared to other training sessions with the national team (11.24/1000 AE). Our findings show that the injury rates in female elite American football players can be compared to those described for male players. Higher injury rates during matches than in training should also be underlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we adopted Foucault’s genealogical approach to examine the emergence of the female footballer in the early 1970s. Results from in-depth interviews and document analyses indicated that these female footballers were discursively constructed as submissive, heterosexual, non-feminists, who were supportive of male football and entertainment. We relatedly argue, in a seemingly paradoxical manner, that female footballers emerged into the male domain because they were disciplined by discourses of normalized femininity and, as such, were understood as bodies not worthy of serious consideration. The power effect of this positioning was that female football was not perceived as a threat to the existing gender order and, accordingly, there was no need to invest political concern or future money to their existence. This miscalculation, or accident of history, provided a window of opportunity that allowed the neophyte players to taste the pleasures of ‘running with the ball at their feet’ and to develop a love of the game. We concluded that the pleasure that these women gained from their involvement in football, plus the prevailing discourses of liberal feminism, acted as productive forces that enabled them to endure and eventually challenge gender inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the longer term impacts of Euro 2005 on participation and organization of women's football in a multi-method case study approach, with a focus in one of the hosting areas in the north-west of England. Using primary data from local football development officers and clubs, documentary sources and secondary data analysis, I consider in this paper whether hosting the event has contributed to any long-term legacy in participations and greater gender equity in the sport, regionally and nationally. The evidence suggests that there is still some way to go before such a claim could be made and the plans to develop a ‘Women's Superleague’ have uncertain outcomes and significant resource implications, particularly at the grass roots of the sport. The possible impacts of such major events on building participation and profile for women's sport are also considered, due to the legacy aspirations from the forthcoming Olympics in London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of this study was to define the relationship between gender identity, the perception of the body, depressiveness, and aggression in female football players who represent different levels of competence (playing in the premier league vs. second league) and seniority in sport. Methods. Research was carried out on female football players (aged 16–31 years) playing in the premier league (N = 49) and second league (N = 45). Data were obtained with the use of: the Body Image Evaluation Questionnaire by Mandal, developed on the basis of Franzoi's concepts; Kuczyńska's Gender Assessment Inventory (IPP) adapted from the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), which diversifies individuals in terms of their gender identity in accordance to the Gender Schema Theory by Bem; the Beck Depression Inventory, translated by Lewicka and Czapiński; and the Buss-Durkee Inventory, adapted by Kosewski with comments from Stanik. To find a relationship between the mentioned variables, statistical analysis was carried out by use of ANOVA, the t test, the χ² test and correlation coefficients. Results. The obtained research results indicate that, among female football players, the following occurs: a predominance of androgynous gender identities and a deficiency of its other types, a higher level of masculinity than among non-training women, a more favorable perception of body-as-process, a higher evaluation of body-as-object, along with an increase of masculinity and a decrease in indirect aggression at higher competition levels. Conclusions. The application of the masculinity dimension by female football players with androgynous gender identity is probably an effective strategy for survival in conditions that are unsuitable and gender-inappropriate in typical masculine sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the experiences of a group of women footballers growing up in England. It specifically looks at their similarities and differences in relation to how they entered the world of football and whether gender relations continue to impact on both their access to and opportunities in sport. The discussion draws on information from nine semi structured interviews with women of varying ages and mixed abilities who have grown up and played football in England. The interview data highlights the prevalence of early male influence within the game and what effect the school education system has on young girls. What emerges from the interviews is that male figures tend to be the most influential in encouraging girls to play football. Developments seem to be being made at primary school level as girls' access to football is improving. However, whatever strides are gained becomes lost as soon as the girls commence secondary school, due to the absence of football from the curriculum. As the girls reach adulthood the traditional feminine values are more highly sort after, so 'tomboyish' behaviours are considered unsuitable and unnatural. There are entrenched cultural attitudes towards the women's game, which are proving hard to break down. These along with the physical barriers make women's involvement in sport very difficult, even more so with football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the phenomenon of symmetrical skills in goal shot technique in female football players, of nine video recorded matches. The recording was taken during the 2ndUnder 19 female football World Cup in 2004 and the 6th European female Championships of female seniors in 2005. The study comprised field zones, goal sectors and topography of scored goals. It was carried out with the use of match observation sheets. Results of observations pointed to clear domination of shots made with the right leg - 73.8% in female juniors and a slightly smaller domination - 68.6% in female seniors. Full movements symmetry was found in young Brazilian female football players, and the highest level of symmetrical skills in female seniors was displayed by the team from England. The study noted the existence of a rare skill of dominating left leg in female juniors of Australia and Canada, and in female seniors from France. The best teams had asymmetrical skills with right leg dominance. Female junior world champions, such as for example the German national team, had the highest number of athletes making bilateral kicks (right and left). As regards the majority of female seniors, more versatile skills (60.0%) were reported. A lower number of "lwo-footedness" football players was only found in the Danish national team. It was also established that female juniors tended to make more kicks from the left field zone, while female seniors were from the right. Kicks at goal sectors (left and right half) were made almost symmetrically, and in the majority of cases the lower lateral sectors were hit. Over 28.0% of female seniors and female juniors were found to be characterised by a high practical efficiency index. This index could result from less efficient tactical actions in defence, as well as inferior preparation level of female goal keepers. The results indicate that top world teams have female players with symmetrical preparation, i.e. two-footedness skills. The results of these observations provided a basis for formulation of methodological recommendations for training female football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2010 FIFA World Cup brought the world’s attention to South Africa. The South African government spent billions of rand on infrastructure development and promoted positive social legacies, yet gender was not on the agenda. This article examines the hegemonic masculinity promoted through SAFA and FIFA with men as the central organizers and consumers of all levels of football. This hegemony is being challenged by a rise in female involvement, and is evident in the history, leadership statistics, and media coverage of the women involved in the World Cup. Examples of female administrators and World Cup ambassadors reveal that it is possible for women to succeed in this male-dominated sphere, but they remain out of the public eye. Four cases are examined in which the hegemonic ideologies within football are reiterated or challenged. The debate around separate autonomous structures for men and women or integrated leadership bodies continues by looking to the future of football and how to move forward from the current situation. A multifaceted approach is required to shift the current hegemony, with women and men advocating for increased participation, recognition and representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the international migration of female footballers; a topic not yet addressed by the literature on globalization and sports labour migration. The article aims to shed light upon how the movement of female footballers across countries and continents is developing and to uncover the players’ motives for playing abroad. The theoretical underpinning comes from both conventional and alternative critical views of sports as labour. The focus is on immigration into Scandinavian countries and, particularly, on migrant players from North America and Africa with whom interview-based interpretative research was conducted. The results indicate firstly, that the international migration of female footballers is already a well-established and globalized process and that the Scandinavian countries are becoming a centre for migrants. Secondly, players’ motives for moving do not include solely economic incentives but reasons such as football experience, career ambitions, and love and infatuation for the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrants in Spain, especially those from Andean countries, have constituted an emerging associative movement that has taken the form of soccer and futsal leagues created by the immigrants themselves. Women's participation in these leagues is significant. How should women's involvement in sports be understood? This article centers on the study of migratory, social and labor networks to understand the practice of soccer and its influence on gender relations. Its objective is to analyze the strategies of migrants and explain how migratory and social networks on arrival have affected the formation and potentiality of this space, as well as the development of teams, as demonstrated, in this case, by the Bolivia team of Seville in which I participated as an ethnographer-player. To that end, I have used an empirical, social and process-based focus that has allowed me to analyze change in the sport as a process parallel to the unfolding of migratory trajectories and couple relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revelation that women first played Australian Rules football during the period of the Great War is an important element in overall understandings of how both masculine and feminine ideals were challenged and redefined by sporting practices in a time of general social flux. This paper reveals that the genesis of the women's code was in Western Australia, where contests occurred as early as 1915. Three years later, with the war nearing its conclusion, the template of women's involvement in charity matches with strong military and patriotic overtones was adopted in the state of Victoria, the code's heartland. Investigations such as this one, indicative of the complex relationships between sport and gender during the First World War, offer scope for deeper comprehension of a much-studied military conflict, and point the way forward for those that bemoan the static agenda of research into women's football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores discourses of gender and sexuality in relation to female football players located within the context of 'gay sport'. The findings presented are taken from my PhD research, and as such form part of a larger study of both male and female footballers who choose to play in gay- or lesbian-identified football clubs. Drawing upon participant observation and interview narratives of five women involved in gay/lesbian-identified football contexts, this article considers how these women resist homophobic and heteronormative discourses present within the broader context of mainstream sport, and how they negotiate their position as women in the world of 'gay football'. Engaging with feminist, post-structuralist and queer theories, it offers a critique of 'gay sport', with a particular emphasis on 'inclusion'. In doing so, it highlights the complex and often paradoxical responses to the homophobic and heteronormative climate of mainstream sport, and illustrates the tensions inherent within this specific gay/lesbian football context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research article explores the ways in which self-recognition as a footballer, in terms of ethnicity, along with cultural values and religious adherence have impacted on the identities of members of the British Muslim Women's Football Team and their choice to compete at the Women's Islamic Games (WIG) in Iran in 2005. The article offers new information on an emerging research area, highlighting issues previously missing from accounts of girls and women's football in the UK. The article adopts a social constructionist framework in unravelling the experiences and perceptions of the British Muslim Women's Football Team and explores how identities are shaped and reinforced through playing football. The research findings of this study are based on five years of participant observation and 16 semi-structured interviews with members of the British Muslim Women's Football Team. Through a focus on interview transcript material this article seeks to entangle the complexity of gender, ethnicity and Islam and the ways in which these factors impact on the football identities of Muslim women in Britain. The experiences and perceptions of the players in the British Muslim Women's Football Team are located within British football, and importantly, the article investigates whether there is room for the hijab in British football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to expose the practices that form gender identity among female football players in the Israeli context, with a focus on the relation between gender and nationalism. This exposure will concentrate on the processes shaping gender identity from the beginning of the female football player's career as a professional athlete, and on the significance female football players attribute to their occupation in a field of sports that is perceived as masculine. In this context, the encounter of women in (and on) the field will be examined in terms of how it is conducted and experienced. Moreover, the article also analyses the ways in which women organize bases of power and rewards in the face of the sports establishments and organizations in Israel and within of the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to many Swedish football experts, journalists and others, women's football players at an elite level are not even close to male football players as regards ball technique and game perception. To all appearances, there are similar views in many other countries where women's football has been established. This article aims to examine the accuracy of this opinion, that is, is it correct that Swedish women's football players at an elite level often fail to perform when ball technique and game perception are put to the test. The article analyses how often the Swedish national team's players failed in their 'actions' in the Women's World Cups of 2003 and 2007. 'Actions' refer to passes, ball receptions, dribbles, final shots and fixed situations. The men's national team's performance has correspondingly been analysed in the men's World Cups of 2002 and 2006. The matches were analysed by means of video. Analysis of almost 10,000 actions shows that there are differences, but that these are relatively small and do not explain the very heavy and categorical criticism that is usually levelled against women's football. The criticism is essentially due to the masculine coding of football and to female intrusion being perceived as a feminist provocation that hence has to be counteracted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Identification of gender is one of the most important dimensions of building a sense of self-identity; it is also one of the basic criteria for identifying individuals by society. The aim of this study was to determine the types of psychological gender football female players (taking into account the formation), i.e. the sport deemed "masculine". Material and methods. The research group was composed of the female players of the Polish national football team, seniors (n = 26), youth team under the age of 19 (n = 21) and the Polish extra league club athletes (n = 16). The tool research was the "Inventory to assess psychological gender (IPP)" by Kuczyńska. Results. Nearly 70% female football players were included in the androgynous type, while 20% were the persons representing the so-called specified psychological type. The most important feature identifying cultural gender patterns, selected by the female players was "tolerant" - feature of the cultural stereotype known to be neutral, as well as the characteristics attributed to both women and men: "friendly" and "nice". Conclusion. The studies allow for determining the dominant type of psychological gender of female players as androgynous, which is highly expressed combined male and female characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have investigated the socialisation impacts on sport participants, but few have examined the reciprocal socialisation that occurs in the households of the children or youth who participate. This paper utilises social cognitive theory, symbolic interactionism and sport socialisation to examine the reciprocal socialisation patterns in South African women's football. Five case studies of families are analysed to describe eight thematic areas of the socialisation factors and changes within the families, as a result of the daughter's participation. Sport is a powerful location to socialise girls into gender roles, and households are influential in this formation. Households impact gender role socialisation through patriarchal values, household composition, sport involvement of significant others, and childhood play activities. The girls are also influential in socialising their households and impacting the way significant others interact and view women's football. In terms of this reciprocal sport socialisation, four types of changes emerged namely: household dynamics and relationships, emotional responses and beliefs, social recognition and pride, and educational perspectives and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1978, a 12-year-old girl, Theresa Bennett, legally challenged the Football Association (FA) for a right to play in an under-12s team. Her original challenge was successful but then revoked on appeal six weeks later. Since 1978, there have been significant changes in the social landscape and structure of women's football in Britain. This article analyses the reporting of the Bennett case in the context of these recent changes. We conclude by acknowledging that considerable progress has been made by women's football in Britain, but that these changes are limited to primarily grass-roots participation and illustrate the patriarchal structure and practices of football today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The location and outcome of all free kicks taken directly at goal in the 2007 women's football World Cup were assessed to identify areas with the most goal-scoring potential and assist with tactical decisions and training design. Video of all free kicks taken directly at goal in the 32 games was captured and the location of the ball on the pitch was calculated from pitch markings and image pixel coordinates using a customized curve-fitting method. The outcome of each free kick was determined and for those that resulted in a goal or were saved, information on ball flight time and the placement of the ball relative to the goal was reported. All seven free kicks that resulted in a goal were taken from a central area within 7 m of the penalty circle, placed at the edge of the goal within approximately 1 m of the goalpost, and had an average flight time of 1.09 s, which was significantly faster than for those that were saved. All free kicks directed towards the bottom and centre of the goal resulted in straightforward saves for the goalkeeper. It is recommended that teams should consider a direct shot from free kicks awarded within 7 m of the penalty circle. For free kicks from wide areas and areas further from the goal, players should be aware of their individual ability and only take a shot when they perceive the probability of scoring a goal to be high. Otherwise, alternative attacking strategies should be considered to avoid an easy turnover of possession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the mechanisms that must be in place in order for women to successfully resist institutionalized gender norms. This research draws on over 200 hours of observations of and 20 in-depth interviews with women playing full contact football, a sport traditionally dominated by men and firmly planted in the culture of the U.S. as synonymous with masculinity. Following the work of recent calls by gender scholars to treat gender as a social institution, this research shows that at least four components must be in place for sustained, successful resistance to a social institution. First, resistance must be a conscious activity. Second, any resistance must involve engaging in an abnormal activity. Third, any deviant or abnormal activity must take place in an otherwise legitimate social context. Finally, as the creation and maintenance of a social institution is an inherently social enterprise, so, too, is institutional resistance. This research contributes to scholarship on gender and social institutions by showing some strategies for increasing possibilities for personal expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the effect of a comprehensive warmup programme designed to reduce the risk of injuries in female youth football. Design Cluster randomised controlled trial with clubs as the unit of randomisation. Setting 125 football clubs from the south, east, and middle of Norway (65 clusters in the intervention group; 60 in the control group) followed for one league season (eight months). Participants 1892 female players aged 13-17 (1055 players in the intervention group; 837 players in the control group). Intervention A comprehensive warm-up programme to improve strength, awareness, and neuromuscular control during static and dynamic movements. Main outcome measure Injuries to the lower extremity (foot, ankle, lower leg, knee, thigh, groin, and hip). Results During one season, 264 players had relevant injuries: 121 players in the intervention group and 143 in the control group (rate ratio 0.71,95% confidence interval 0.49 to 1.03). In the intervention group there was a significantly lower risk of injuries overall (0.68, 0.48 to 0.98), overuse injuries (0.47, 0.26 to 0.85), and severe injuries (0.55, 0.36 to 0.83). Conclusion Though the primary outcome of reduction in lower extremity injury did not reach significance, the risk of severe injuries, overuse injuries, and injuries overall was reduced. This indicates that a structured warm-up programme can prevent injuries in young female football players. Trial registration ISRCTN10306290. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A whole of 43 was evaluated of football players, 26 selected Chilean sub 20 and 17 players of the champion nursery of university football of 2007 of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), all of them under his informed assent. Was evaluated under the protocol of marking and measurement of the International Society of Avancement in Kineanthropometric (ISAK) for the in normal conditions of temperature, in the early morning and after the urinary emptying, by assessors by license level II of ISAK. The measured variables were weight, stature of foot, stature sat, muscular perimeters, bony diameters and cutaneous folds. All these measures are in use for the formulae of corporal composition of D. Kerr, (1988) and for the antropometrics method of the Somatotype of Heath- Carter (2004). There exists a difference of 3, 4 years between both groups what differentiates some other components of the morphoestructure as a major quantity of oily and minor quantity of muscle of the group sub-20 in comparison with the group PUCV and a graphical representation of the somatotype that corroborates these differences. The differences in the components of the corporal composition between both groups have two fundamental reasons. The first one for the major development and physical ripeness of the group PUCV who to the major being, has averages of stature and I weigh also major. The second reason is the level of performance of the group PUCV, which on having had n major development allows the accomplishment of trainings them prolonged and of major intensity, demonstrating a major muscular development and minor quantity of fat in comparison with group sub-20. We conclude that according to the factors anthropometrics the group PUCV is capable to obtain a sports major performance that the group sub-20, being this a foundation to the moment to choose the national pre-selections players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish injury profile of collegiate rugby union in the USA Design/setting: 31 men's and 38 women's collegiate rugby union teams prospectively recorded injuries during games and practice during the 2005-06 season. Three teams withdrew before data collection. An injury was defined as one: (1) occurring in an organised inter- collegiate game or practice; and (2) requiring medical attention during or after the game or practice, or (3) resulting in any restriction of the athletes' participation for ⩾day(s) beyond the day of injury, or in a dental injury. Main outcome measures: In total, 847 injuries (447 in men; 400 in women) during 48 026 practice (24 280 in men; 23746 in women) and 25 808 game (13 943 in men; 11 865 in women) exposures were recorded. Results: During games, injury rates of 22.5 (95% Cl 20.2 to 25.0) and 22.7 (20.2 to 25.5) per 1000 game athletic exposures or 16.9 (15.1 to 18.9) and 17.1 (15.1 to 19.1) per 1000 player game hours were recorded for men and women, respectively. Over half of all match injuries were of major severity (>7 days' absence) (men 56%; women 51%) and the tackle was the game event most often associated with injury (men 48%; women 53%). Conclusions: Collegiate game injury rates for rugby were lower than rates recorded previously in men's professional club and international rugby and lower than reported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System for American football, but similar to rates reported for men's and women's soccer in 2005-06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhetorical scholars have given increasing attention to the body as a site for producing arguments. This essay examines possible limits to body rhetoric through the analysis of a controversy involving Katie Hnida, football, and the University of Colorado. In the midst of allegations of sexual misconduct and recruiting improprieties within the football program, Hnida's body was the central trope in a rhetorical contest over gendered norms and boundaries. Given the hostility that was directed at Hnida, this essay suggests that rhetorical critics should be cautious about overestimating the body's capacity for resistance. It also invites a closer consideration of how discourses within sport continue to marginalize women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines football as a site of social contestation for Iranian women. The recent political controversy regarding women's attendance at football matches is indicative of this social conflict. I start by contextualizing this episode within a feminist framework of analysis. I then look at the development of Iranian women's participation in football as rioters, fans, players, referees, coaches, sports-writers and administrators of the game. Examples of women footballers from other cultures are provided in order to foreground commonalities and differences. Finally, I demonstrate how this movement is catalysng both Iranian feminism and the wider working-class social movement confronting the mullah-bourgeoisie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the development of women's football in France along with French women's broader struggle for social, political and sexual emancipation from 1920s to 1930s. During early 1920s, French women's football, which was administered by the feminist movement and the Fédération féminin sportive de France (FFSF) with state funding, flourished domestically and abroad. This enabled female players to rebut the myth of women's fragility, which is viewed during that time as a major hindrance to women's suffrage. But the feminist movement and FFSF abandoned the sports by late 1920s amidst a sexual panic which accused female football players as unnatural, masculinized and lesbian.

There is little information on the nutritional habits of female football players at any level of the game. There is also a shortage of information on the nutrition and hydration strategies that players should adopt. In general, differences in nutritional needs between males and females are smaller than differences between individuals, so that principles developed for male players also apply to women. There is a need to address energy balance and body composition: prolonged energy deficits cannot be sustained without harm to health and performance. Published reports show mean carbohydrate intakes for female players of about 5 g/kg/day, and this seems to be too low to sustain consistent intensive training. The timing of protein intake may be as important as the amounts consumed, provided that the total intake is adequate. Dehydration adversely affects skill and stamina in women as it does in men, so an individualised hydration strategy should be developed. The prevalence of iron deficiency in women generally is high, but it seems to be alarmingly high in female players. All players should adopt dietary habits that ensure adequate iron intake. Football training seems to increase bone mass in the weight-bearing limbs, with positive implications for bone health in later life, but some players may be at risk from inadequate calcium dietary intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the surface, the women's game appears to be similar to the men's game. On closer examination, there are subtle differences in the nature of how each gender plays the game, which are evident in the disparity between skills, tactics and fitness. The technical weaknesses of women include the first touch, dribbling, long passing and goal keeping. These skill limitations have dictated specific tactical approaches towards both attack and defence. Specific biological limitations inherent in the female player affect the pace and total work output in the women's game. Although it is unrealistic to expect the women's game to approach the work output of the men's game, specific training of skills and fitness will influence the tactical approach to the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the incidence, nature, severity and cause of match injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female footballers. Methods: The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System was used for a two-season (August to December) prospective study of American college and university football teams (2005 season: men 52 teams, women 64 teams; 2006 season: men 54 teams, women 72 teams). Injury definitions and recording procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies of injuries in football. Athletic trainers recorded details of the playing surface and the location, diagnosis, severity and cause of all match injuries. The number of days lost from training and match play was used to define the severity of an injury. Match exposures (player hours) were recorded on a team basis. Results: The overall incidence of match injuries for men was 25.43 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 23.92 on grass (incidence ratio 1.06; p=0.46) and for women was 19.15 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 21.79 on grass (incidence ratio=0.88; p=0.16). For men, the mean severity of non-season ending injuries was 7.1 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 8.4 days (median 5) on grass and, for women, 11 .2 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 8.9 days (median 5) on grass. Joint (non-bone)! ligament/cartilage and contusion injuries to the lower limbs were the most common general categories of match injury on artificial turf and grass for both male and female players. Most injuries were acute (men: of artificial turf 24.60, grass 22.91; p=0.40; women: artificial turf 18.29, grass 20.64; p=0.21) and resulted from player-to-player contact (men: artificial turf 14.73, grass 13.34; p=0.37 women: artificial turf 10.72; grass 11.68; p=0.50). Conclusions: There were no major differences in the incidence, severity, nature or cause of match injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by either male or female players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although all injuries in sports are a concern for participants, head injuries are particularly troublesome because of the potential for long-term cognitive deficits. To prevent any specific injury, it is important to understand the basic frequency and incidence of injury and then the mechanism of injury. Once these are established, prevention programmes can be tested to see if the rate of injury changes. A primary problem with head injuries is recognising that the injury has occurred. Many athletes are not aware of the seriousness of concussive injury, thus this type of injury is probably under-reported. Once the diagnosis of a concussion is made, the next difficult decision is when to return a player to the game. These two management issues dominate the continuing development of understanding of concussive head injury. This paper explores the known gender differences between head injuries and highlights the areas that need to be considered in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stress fracture represents the inability of the skeleton to withstand repetitive bouts of mechanical loading, which results in structural fatigue, and resultant signs and symptoms of localised pain and tenderness. Reports of stress fractures in female football players are not prevalent; however, they are probably under-reported and their importance lies in the morbidity that they cause in terms of time lost from participation. By considering risk factors for stress fractures in female football players it may be possible to reduce the impact of these troublesome injuries. Risk factors for stress fractures in female football players include intrinsic risk factors such as gender, endocrine, nutritional, physical fitness and neuromusculoskeletal factors, as well as extrinsic risk factors such as training programme, equipment and environmental factors. This paper discusses these risk factors and their implications in terms of developing prevention and management strategies for stress fractures in female football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the incidence, nature, severity and cause of training injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by male and female footballers. Methods: The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System was used for a two-season (August to December) prospective study involving American college and university football teams (2005 season: men 52 teams, women 64 teams; 2006 season: men 54 teams, women 72 teams). Injury definitions and recording procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies of injuries in football. Athletic trainers recorded details of the playing surface and the location, diagnosis, severity and cause of all training injuries. The number of days lost from training and match play was used to define the severity of an injury. Training exposures (player hours) were recorded on a team basis. Results: The overall incidence of training injuries for men was 3.34 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 3.01 on grass (incidence ratio 1.11; p=0.21) and for women it was 2.60 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 2.79 on grass (incidence ratio 0.93; p=0.46). For men, the mean severity of injuries that were not season ending injuries was 9.4 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 7.8 days (median 4) on grass and, for women, 10.5 days (median 4) on artificial turf and 10.0 days (median 5) on grass. Joint (non-bone)/ligament/cartilage and muscle/tendon injuries to the lower limbs were the most common general categories of injury on artificial turf and grass for both male and female players. Most training injuries were f acute (men: artificial turf 2.92, grass 2.63, p=0.24; women: artificial turf 1.94, grass 2.23, p=0.21) and resulted from player-to-player contact (men: artificial turf 1.08, grass 0.85, p=0.10 women: artificial turf 0.47, grass 0.56; p=0.45). Conclusions: There were no major differences between the incidence, severity, nature or cause of training injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and on grass by either men or women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular, although the risk of injury on newer generations of turf is unknown. Aim: To investigate the risk of injury on artificial turf compared with natural grass among young female football players. Study design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 2020 players from 109 teams (mean (SD) 15.4 (0.8) years) participated in the study during the 2005 football season. Time-loss injuries and exposure data on different types of turf were recorded over an eight-month period. Results: 421 (21%) players sustained 526 injuries, leading to an injury incidence of 3.7/1000 playing hours (95% CI 3.4 to 4.0). The incidence of acute injuries on artificial turf and grass did not differ significantly with respect to match injuries (rate ratio (RR) 1.0, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.3; p=0.72) or training injuries (RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.5, p=0.93). In matches, the incidence of serious injuries was significantly higher on artificial turf (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.2; p=0.03). Ankle sprain was the most common type of injury (34% of all acute injuries), and there was a trend towards more ankle sprains on artificial turf than on grass (RR 1 .5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.2; p=0.06). Conclusion: In the present study among young female football players, the overall risk of acute injuries was similar between artificial turf and natural grass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several tools have been used for assessing risk situations and for gathering tackle information from international football matches for men but not for women. Purpose: To analyse activities in women's football and to identify the characteristics and risk potentials of tackles. Study design: Retrospective video analysis. Method: Video recordings of 24 representative matches from six women's top-level tournaments were analysed for tackle parameters and their risk potential. Results: 3531 tackles were recorded. Tackles in which the tackling player came from the side and stayed on her feet accounted for nearly half of all challenges for the ball in which body contact occurred. 2.7% of all tackles were classified as risk situations, with sliding-in tackles from behind and the side having the highest risk potential. Match referees sanctioned sliding-in tackles more often than other tackles (20% v 1 7%, respectively). Tackle parameters did not change in the duration of a match; however, there was an increase in the number of injury risk situations and foul plays towards the end of each half. Conclusions: Match properties provide valuable information for a better understanding of injury situations in football. Staying on feet and lumping vertically tackle actions leading to injury were sanctioned significantly more times by the referee than those not leading to injury (p<0.00), but no such difference was seen for sliding-in tackles (previously reported to have the highest injury potential in women's football). Therefore, either the laws of the game are not adequate or match referees in women's football are not able to distinguish between sliding-in tackles leading to and those not leading to injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on research on the incidence of injury in female rugby league players in New Zealand. Using a prospective observational study, it is found that 306.8 injuries occur for every 1,000 playing hours. The study provides an insight into the incidence of injuries associated with the women's rugby league.