Softball is a sport that has been dominated by the female gender. Therefore, the demands of female athletes are especially prevalent to softball. Some common demands of these athletes include eating disorders, iron deficiency, bone density and pregnancy.
Eating Disorders
An important diet is imperative to performance. If an athlete does not get the right amounts of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and energy, performance is limited. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia are common among females as they wish to look lean and 'fit.' Muscle development and body functions are weakened. Softball is a sport where muscle and power within those muscles are essential. By having little muscle due to eating disorder, an athlete may struggle to perform at a high level. Eating disorders can also have negative psychological affects on the athlete, which can detriment their ability to handle the pressures of the game and the tactical side of softball. Female athletes with eating disorders should inform their coaches and seek medical advice as to best treat their illness.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is a common problem within female athletes and needs to be addresses and managed. Anaemia is the condition of not having enough red blood cells. People who are iron deficient are called anaemic. Iron is an important mineral that helps in the delivering of oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the body's cells. The brain also depends on the ability that iron has to transport oxygen to it. Iron is also helpful to the immune system. When an athlete does not have adequate iron supplies, their ability to perform at high levels lessens. Supplementation is way in which this can be treated and maintained. Medical advice is essential for accurate advice on how to deal with iron deficiency and also gives important information about what each specific individual can do in their performance in softball, or any sport.
Bone Density
Oestrogen is a hormone found in females when they are menstruating. This hormone aids in the absorption and digesting of calcium, a mineral responsible for strengthening bone. When a woman stops menstruating, their oestrogen levels decrease and thus limited calcium supplies are delivered to the bones, resulting in a loss in bone density. Female athletes need to have a balanced diet to make sure they are receiving enough calcium and supplementation could prove affective. When one has low bone density, they are more at risk to stress fractures and fractures in general. Medical advice should be sought to give advice in supplementation and preventing further injury.
Pregnancy
When a female athlete is impregnated, their ability to perform is not eliminated but reduced. Being pregnant requires extra care and attention so that the baby, and mother remain healthy.Factor that should be taken into consideration are:
- Health and risk status of pregnancy
- State of pregnancy
- Degree of exertion
- Risk of overheating, and
- Risk of injury.