This document discusses women and sports participation in India. It covers several topics: the historical lack of opportunities for women in sports due to gender inequality and social norms; key female athletes who helped advance women's participation; reasons for low participation including lack of education, traditional views, and few female role models; special health considerations for women athletes like menstruation, pregnancy, and the female athlete triad involving amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and anemia; the psychological and sociological aspects of participation influenced by factors like family, school, and culture; and the ideology of promoting gender equality and empowering women through sports.

1. Lesson 6
Women and Sports

2. Lesson 6
Women and Sports

3. Women and Sports
6.1 Sports Participation of Women in India
6.2 Special Consideration (Menarche,
Menstrual Dysfunction, Pregnancy,
Menopause)
6.3 Female Athlete Triad( Anaemia,
Osteoporosis and Amenorrhoea)
6.4 Psychological Aspects of Women Athlete
6.5 Sociological Aspects of Sports
Participation
6.6 Ideology

4. 6.1 Sports Participation of Women in
India

5. Sports Participation of Women in India
• Gender inequality is
strongly evident in the
field of sports
• Less opportunities in
comparison to their male
counterparts
• Social environment
inhibits women from
Sports participation
• Now more sports women
emerging as role models

6. Sports Participation of Women in India
• Mary Leela Row (Athlete),
1st woman to represent
India at Helsinki Olympics
in 1952.
• Karnam Malleswari, 1st
Indian woman to win a
bronze medal at Sydney
Olympic 2000
• Saina Nehwal, M.C. Mary
Kom won bronze medal in
badminton and boxing in
London Olympics 2012.

7. 1. Lack of Education
and Awareness
2. Traditional Outlook
and Views
3. Male dominated
culture of sports
4. Lack of female
sports person as a
role model:
Reasons for Less Participation of
Women in Sports

8. 5. Lack of Female
coaches
6. Lack of personal
safety
7. Lack of interest of
spectators and less
media coverage
8. Lack of access to
sports facilities
Reasons for Less Participation of
Women in Sports

9. 6.2 Special Consideration (Menarche,
Menstrual Dysfunction, Pregnancy,
Menopause)

10. Menarche
1. It is the first menstrual period of a girl
that generally happens at the age of
12 to 14.
2. Intensive sports activity may lead to
health risk to young girls and it is
reflected as an abnormal menarche.
Special Problems Faced by Women
Sportspersons

11. Menstrual dysfunction
It is disorder or irregularity in menstrual cycle. The
disorders are:
1. Absence of menstrual period.
2. Abdominal cramps.
3. Heavy or prolonged periods.
4. Irregular periods.
5. Delay in first menstrual period.
There is a misconception that sports participation
during menstruation could be physiologically harmful.
Research studies have indicated that there is no
specific effect on sports performance during all
phases of the menstrual cycle.
Special Problems Faced by Women
Sportspersons

12. Pregnancy
1. It is seen as break in sports career of a woman.
2. It is not recommended to take part in intensive
sports activities during pregnancy.
Menopause
It is the permanent stoppage of primary functions
of the ovaries. There is no production of oestrogen
and progesterone hormones.
Special Problems Faced by Women
Sportspersons

13. 6.3 Female Athlete Triad( Anaemia,
Osteoporosis and Amenorrhoea)

14. Female Athlete Triad
It is a health concern
for active women and
girls who are driven to
excel in sports. It
involves 3 distinct and
interrelated
conditions:
1. Anaemia
2. Amenorrhea
3. Osteoporosis

15. Who is Affected ??
Anyone may be
affected, but females
participating in
activities which
emphasize leanness are
at high risk. •
Gymnastics
• Ballet
• Diving
• Figure skating
• Aerobics
• Running

16. Symptoms of triad
may include
fatigue, frequent
injuries, loss of
endurance,
irritability,
increased healing
time of injuries,
and cessation of
menstruation
Symptoms of Triad

17. 1. Decrease in the amount of RBC or
haemoglobin in the blood.
2. Female athletes often face anaemia due to
iron deficiency
3. Regular menstrual losses increase the
iron need of female athletes
4. They need to take extra care to fulfil
additional iron requirement of the body by
taking iron rich food.
Anaemia

18. 1. It refers to the decreased bone material
contents.
2. It is a skeletal disorder.
3. It puts women athlete at a risk of bone
fracture.
4. Low oestrogen level and low calcium intake
can lead to osteoporosis. Following factors
lead to osteoporosis among the women
athlete.
I. Insufficient calcium in diet.
II. Eating disorders.
III. Bad eating habits.
IV. Amenorrhea.
Osteoporosis

19. It is an absence of menstruation for three
months or more.
1. Primary Amenorrhea ( delayed
beginning of menstrual cycle)
2. Secondary Amenorrhea ( stopping of
regular menstrual cycle for 3 months or
more)
3. Various factors influencing Amenorrhea:
i. Hormonal changes
ii. Intensive exercises
iii. Intake of less calories
Amenorrhoea

20. 1. Pressure to achieve unrealistically low
body weight should be avoided by
coaches, parents
2. Out-of-competition “weigh-ins” should be
discouraged.
3. Rules governing sports should be
examined, and rules encouraging
excessive leanness should be revised.
4. Athletes and coaches should be
encouraged to look for warning signs of
eating disorders.
Preventing The Female
Athlete Triad

21. 6.4 Psychological Aspects of Women
Athlete

22. 1. Gender Role
Orientation
2. Competitiveness
3. Confidence
4. Self-Esteem
Psychological Aspects of Women Athlete

23. 5. Self- Image
6. Depression
7. Aggression
Psychological Aspects of Women Athlete

24. 6.5 Sociological Aspects of Sports
Participation

25. 1. Family
a) “Interest in
sports by
children usually
preceded by the
parent’s
interest.”
b) Socializing
process at home
for both genders
is different
Sociological Aspects Of Women
Participation In Sports

26. 2. School
a) Important place to
provide
opportunities for
sports
participation
b) Coaches, peers
and the teachers
are the main
driving force
Sociological Aspects Of Women
Participation In Sports

27. 3. Culture
a) Has a great
impact on the
involvement
of females in
sports
Sociological Aspects Of Women
Participation In Sports
b) Traditional values in India encourage that
women should stay at home and look
after the family

28. 6.6 Ideology

29. IOC under took the principle of equality of
gender in its Olympic Charter
Ideology Of Women And Sports
Participation

30. All sports
organizations
encourage and
promote the
participation of
women in
sports and
follow the
principle of
gender
equality???
Ideology Of Women And Sports
Participation

31. Participation of women in sports is
considered essential to empower women
Ideology Of Women And Sports
Participation

32. Participation of women in sports enables them to
face adversaries. It instil confidence in them and
make them healthy and strong
Ideology Of Women And Sports
Participation