Body Armour and Guards, Contact Sports, Female, Impact Sports, Sports

Do I Need Horse Riding Body Protector

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Do I Need Horse Riding Body Protector?

Body protectors are worn by both horses and people in order to protect them from injury. They are available in a range of prices and styles, so it is important to do your research before you buy one. Make sure to get a protector that fits well and is comfortable to wear.

When it comes to choosing a horse riding body protector, it is important to remember that they are not all created equal. In fact, most protectors are designed for a specific activity, such as cycling or skiing.

As such, it is important to choose a protector that is appropriate for the activity you will be doing. For example, if you are going horse riding, make sure to choose a protector that has been specifically designed for horse riding.

Check our range of horse riding protectors!

What Are Horse Riding Vests For?

A horse riding vest, also known as a body protector, is a type of garment that protects the rider from injury. It is important to always choose a body protector that has been approved to BETA Level 3 standard, as this offers the most protection. There are also air jackets available, that offer more protection than a regular body protector.

Apart From Vests What Are Other Protective Gears for Horse Riding

There are a variety of different types of personal protection equipment that can be worn while riding. One of the most important pieces of equipment is a body protector.

A study found that there was a significant decrease in injury when body protection was worn during horse riding activities. The severity of the injury was also significantly decreased when body protection was worn for cross-country riding.

Shoulder Protectors

Shoulder protectors are an effective way to reduce the risk of breaking your collarbone. Research has shown that they can reduce the risk by up to 80%. They are equally effective in their role and fit over the shoulder, protecting the end of the collarbone.

Air Jackets

Air Jackets are body protectors that use air pockets to soften or reduce the impact of a fall. They are not as sturdy as traditional body protectors, but they offer a measure of safety and can be worn with other protective equipment.

Check out XENA female chest armour!

How Does a Body Protector Work?

A body protector is a piece of safety equipment that is worn by horse riders. It is designed to help reduce the impact of a fall or kick from a horse. The body protector is made of foam and fabric and is adjustable to fit you perfectly. It can help reduce the severity of an injury if it occurs during an accident.

What Is the Best Horse Riding Safety Vest?

How Effective Are Riding Vests?

Body protectors have become more popular among riders in recent years. While there are some who believe that they are not necessary, most riders find that they provide a good level of protection in the event of an accident.

There is no definitive answer to this question. There are many riders who feel that they provide an extra level of safety. Ultimately, it is up to the individual rider to decide whether or not they want to wear a riding vest.

How Often Should You Replace Your Body Protector?

Most body protectors have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. This is because the foam inside the protector will degrade over time and make it less effective at protecting you in the event of a fall. It is therefore important to replace your body protector regularly to ensure you are always protected.

You may also like: How does an elbow brace works?

FAQ

Should You Ride in a Body Protector?

Body riders are meant to give you protection when you fall down from the horse. Thus you have to be prepared to keep yourself safe. Thus you have to wear a body protector when you ride.

What Is the Point of Vests for Horseback Riding?

Horse accident injuries are brutal, thus the point of the vest for horseback is to protect your chest. In case you fall off from your ride and worse if the horse falls on you as well.

What Is Best to Wear for Horse Riding?

Long pants, shirts, and protective gear including a helmet are best to wear for horse riding.

Should You Wear a Body Protector When Jumping?

A horse riding body protector should always be worn especially if you are doing jumping activities.

Do You Need to Replace a Body Protector After a Fall?

If there is any damage to the body protector like dents, if the straps and foams are in bad shape then you should replace your body protector.

Conclusion

We have outlined how wearing a body protector whilst riding a horse can protect you. Body protectors are essential for riding a horse. I hope that you find this write up helpful.

Remember, always make it a habit to wear a body protector when horse riding. Check out our CE level 2 chest protector.

Impact Sports, Injuries

Understanding Breast Injuries in Sports

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Breast injuries in sports are a concern often overlooked in discussions about athlete health and safety, & the correlation of breast trauma, and its impact on athletic performance. We will also address the common question: does breast trauma lead to cancer later in life?

Understanding Breast Trauma

Breast trauma encompasses any damage to the breast or its tissues caused by an external event or activity. While many breast injuries don’t cause lasting damage, the experience can be distressing. Symptoms like pain, discoloration, or a noticeable lump often raise fears about breast cancer. However, these signs typically indicate tissue injury which, though uncomfortable, generally heals on its own.

Common Causes of Breast Injuries in Sports

In the realm of sports, traumatic breast injuries are not uncommon. These can cause significant discomfort, visible bruising, and sometimes, swelling of breast tissue. A serious concern in such cases is the risk of hemorrhaging, where damage to major blood vessels could lead to severe, life-threatening bleeding.

Breast Trauma and Cancer: Is There a Link?

A prevalent concern is the potential for breast trauma to lead to cancer, particularly when injuries result in lump formation. However, these lumps are usually not cancerous and include hematomas (deep bruises) and fat necrosis (scarred fatty tissue from injury). While there is no direct link between trauma and cancer, the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed. Research, such as a study published on NCBI, shows that a significant number of elite female athletes report breast injuries impacting their performance, yet often do not discuss these injuries with professionals.

Impact on Sports Performance

Many elite female athletes felt that breast injuries negatively affected their performance. Despite this, many do not report their injuries, highlighting a need for increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and medical professionals about breast injuries in sports. Encouraging open discussions about breast health is crucial for ensuring proper reporting and treatment of such injuries.

The research found at this link reveals that over a third of top-tier female athletes have suffered breast injuries due to contact or friction during sports activities. Despite around 20% of these athletes acknowledging that such injuries adversely impact their performance, many have not discussed these injuries with a coach or medical expert. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and medical professionals in women’s sports about the prevalence and potential harm of breast injuries. Promoting open dialogue about breast health is essential, enabling athletes to seek help and treatment when needed. More research is essential to understand the dynamics of breast injuries in sports, paving the way for developing effective prevention strategies based on solid evidence. 

Importance of Further Research and Prevention Strategies

There’s a critical need for further research to understand factors affecting breast injuries in sports and to develop effective, evidence-based prevention strategies. This point is underscored by a landmark study funded by World Rugby, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, focusing on the unique requirements of women in sports.

Conclusion

Breast injuries in sports can have a significant impact on athletes’ performance and wellbeing. While the link between breast trauma and cancer is not clearly established, the concerns it raises cannot be ignored. Increasing awareness and research into this area is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Ensuring female athletes receive the support they need for both their performance and health.

Gear up with Fempro Armour, designed by women for women 

Here at Fempro Armour, our mission is to equip female athletes, women in high-impact sports, and frontline workers with the right gear to protect their bodies to help prevent injuries. Our female designed body armour and garments reflect who women are and celebrate the sports and work that we love. Check out our collection of body armour HERE. 

Contact Sports, Female, Impact Sports, Sports

Revolutionizing Women’s Safety in Sports: Fempro Armour’s Game-Changing Innovation

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Women’s participation in sports, particularly contact sports like Rugby Union and AFL, is reaching new heights globally. However, the safety and protection of female athletes have often been overlooked, with most protective gear being designed primarily for male athletes. This gender disparity has led to higher injury rates among female athletes due to ill-fitting gear and inadequate safety standards that do not consider the unique anatomical differences of the female body. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Fempro Armour, an Australian company dedicated to women’s safety in sports, is addressing this issue with their groundbreaking protective armour, and how they’ve received support from Bond University (Rugby), Southport Sharks (AFL), and ARM Hub, a leading robotics and AI company, to bring this innovative product to the market.

The Problem: Underreported and Unaddressed Female Athlete Injuries

Shockingly, almost 60 percent of female athletes have experienced a previous breast injury, yet a staggering 90 percent of them never reported these injuries to anyone. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for specialized protective gear designed specifically for female athletes. Stephanie Bofinger, the founder and CEO of Fempro Armour, recognized this gap and set out to create a solution.

Fempro Armour’s Innovative Solution

Fempro Armour has developed a prototype armour that incorporates patented impact absorption technology to spread and reduce the force of hits to vulnerable areas of the female body, including the back, ribs, chest, and shoulders. Unlike any other product currently on the market, this armour has been meticulously designed based on extensive research into common injuries sustained by female athletes. It’s a significant departure from the ‘pink it and shrink it’ approach that has been taken in the past.

Stephanie Bofinger, a former athlete herself, is deeply committed to reducing both short and long-term injuries among female athletes and improving their overall safety in contact sports. She noted, “The risk of injury for female athletes, especially in contact sports, is unacceptably high due to ill-fitting protective gear and under-researched safety standards that do not account for the anatomical differences in the female body.”

Fempro Armour’s technology utilizes a network of interconnected air pockets that compress upon impact to absorb energy. This groundbreaking system offers superior impact absorption compared to traditional foam padding, providing female athletes with the protection they deserve while maintaining breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and a lightweight design.

Testing and Certification

Before bringing their revolutionary product to market, Fempro Armour is committed to rigorous testing and certification. Notably, the armour will be the only European Certified product available for female Rugby Union athletes. This certification means that the armour has been thoroughly tested, approved, and surpasses European safety standards, setting a new benchmark for safety in women’s sports.

Bond University’s & Southport Sharks Role in Advancing Female Athlete Safety

Bond University and Southport Sharks known for its excellence in women’s rugby & AFL, has partnered with Fempro Armour to support the development and introduction of this game-changing technology to the market. Elite athletes from both organisations played a crucial role in testing the Fempro Armour prototype during their 2023 Rugby Union & AFL Season. Their feedback and input will help Fempro Armour refine the design to ensure maximum protection and comfort for female athletes before the public release.

Zoe Hanna, a Bond University Bull Sharks Rugby Union player and recipient of the prestigious John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship, expressed her excitement about this tailored protection, stating, “Stephanie and her team are creating something that isn’t just a ‘pink it and shrink it’ version of men’s gear. It’s designed by women, for women, with our specific needs in mind.”

Professor Alan Patching, who struck a partnership with Fempro Armour after hearing Stephanie Bofinger’s vision at a Bond University event in 2022, emphasized the importance of this innovation, saying, “We are excited and proud to be supporting the development of this innovative and important protective gear for women rugby players the world over.”

The Road Ahead

Fempro Armour aims to release the world’s first commercially available female-specific protective sports gear for Rugby Union and AFL athletes next year, with plans to expand into additional sports. This represents a significant step forward in enhancing the safety and well-being of female athletes and addressing the longstanding issue of inadequate protective gear.

Conclusion

The journey of Fempro Armour from inception to development highlights the pressing need for specialized protective gear for female athletes and the dedication of individuals like Stephanie Bofinger to make a difference. With the support of Bond University, Southport Sharks and ARM Hub, Fempro Armour is poised to revolutionize women’s safety in sports, ensuring that female athletes can participate fully in the sports they love with confidence in their safety. This groundbreaking innovation has the potential to change the game for women’s contact sports, setting new standards for safety and protection in the field. We are looking forward to the official release, as we anticipate a future where female athletes receive the same level of protection and consideration as their male counterparts, marking a significant milestone in the history of women in sports.

Contact Sports, Female, Impact Sports, Injuries, Sports

3 Ways You Can Prepare for a High-Impact Sports Session

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Gearing up for a high-impact sports session? It’s important to prepare your body adequately before you start training. Doing so helps to prevent injuries and ensures that you train safely and effectively. 

In this article, we’ll outline three simple ways you can prepare for a high-impact sports session. Let’s get to it! 

1. Warm up and stretch

Let’s start with the obvious – before you get stuck into any high-impact sports session you need to ensure that your body is sufficiently warmed up and your muscles are stretched. 

The best way to start elevating your heart rate is to get on the move. A short run, or even some quick on-the-spot exercises can do the trick and get your heart rate up. Once your heart rate is a little higher it’s time to start stretching. 

Focus on the muscles you will be moving most during your high-impact sports session. The last thing you want is a pulled muscle or injury a few minutes into your session. 

2. Eat the right amount of food at the right time

Fuelling your body correctly before a high-impact sports session is essential. You want to make sure that your body has the energy it needs prior to your session. Make sure you get enough high-quality carbohydrates and plenty of protein before your session. 

If you plan on eating a large meal before your high-impact sports session, ensure you give your body enough time to properly digest the food, at least 2 or 3 hours before you start training. Make sure you avoid any greasy or fatty foods high in sugar, as you will get a quick spike followed by a big energy crash – the last thing you need right before a high-impact sports session! 

3. Get ready and gear up 

The final tip to help you prepare for a high-impact sports session is to make sure you’re wearing the right gear. Even if it’s just a practice session with your teammates, you never know when you might cop an accidental elbow to the chest that results in an injury. Play it safe, and get your protective gear on in preparation for a high-impact sports session. 

We recommend wearing our XENA chest armour if chest injuries are common in the high-impact sports you play. Chest injuries can do some serious damage so it’s well worth protecting this sensitive area of your body every time you take part in a high-impact sports session. 

Gear up with Fempro Armour, designed by women for women 

Here at Fempro Armour, our mission is to equip female athletes, women in high-impact sports, and frontline workers with the right gear to protect their bodies to help prevent injuries. 

Our female designed body armour and garments reflect who women are and celebrate the sports and work that we love. 

Check out our collection of body armour HERE. 

Impact Sports, Injuries

Five top tips to prevent injury in high-impact sports as a woman

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

No matter what kind of physical activity you’re participating in, whether it’s low impact sports, high impact sports or anything in between, there are things you can do to help prevent injuries. 

For women training or competing in high-impact sports, here are some top tips to help you prevent injuries so that you can continue playing the sport you love. 

Listen to your body 

It’s so important not to overwork yourself as a woman in high-impact sports. If you find that your body is starting to tire, stop and take a short break to let your body recover. The main thing to remember when training in high-impact sports is sustainability. You don’t want to train so hard that you end up with overuse injuries or stress fractures. Slow down to speed up! 

Change things up once in a while 

Cross training is critical when it comes to avoiding injuries in high impact sports as a woman. By performing the same movements day in and day out, you put added strain on certain muscles. That’s why it’s important to add variety to your training sessions to prevent injuries. Try adding a running session, swimming or some other activity to change up your routine. 

Don’t forget to warmup and cool down

Anytime you engage in high-intensity activity without gradually increasing your heart rate, you put your body at risk. Make sure to warm up adequately before you get too far into your high impact sports training session. Similarly, don’t forget to stretch after your session either. Stretching helps to loosen your muscles after a training session and can help to prevent injury.  

Wear the appropriate protective gear

One of the best ways to prevent injury in high-impact sports as a woman is to wear the right gear while playing or training. You never know when you might cop an elbow to the chest or fall and land the wrong way – which is why wearing protective gear is so important. Check out our range of female designed body armour HERE. 

Stay hydrated

It goes without saying really, but you should always try to stay as hydrated as possible whenever you’re playing or training in high impact sports. Not only will more water help you to feel your best, but it will also help you to perform your best too. If you’re training for longer than an hour, sports drinks containing electrolytes can also be beneficial. 

Gear up with Fempro Armour, designed by women for women 

Here at Fempro Armour, our mission is to equip female athletes, women in high-impact sports, and frontline workers with the right gear to protect their bodies to help prevent injuries. 

Our female designed body armour and garments reflect who women are and celebrate the sports and work that we love. 

Check out our collection of body armour HERE. 

Contact Sports, Impact Sports

What are the factors influencing girls in sports?

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

It’s a fact – by 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. But why is this? There are a number of factors that influence girls’ participation in sports. 

In this article, we’ll reveal what those factors are and how we can help to keep more girls playing sports. 

Why girls stop participating in sports 

Let’s kick things off by outlining the factors that play a role in the participation (or lack thereof) of girls in sports. Here are just a few: 

  • Lack of access – The first major reason girls stop participating in sports is simply because they have fewer opportunities. If there aren’t adequate sporting facilities in their local area, or if their school doesn’t offer physical education, girls may not have easy access to sports, which is one of the reasons why many drop out. 
  • Social stigma – Many girls stop participating in sports because they fear repercussions from their peers. Unfortunately discrimination still exists based on the perceived or real sexual orientation of girls who participate in sports. Adolescence is a socially fragile time, and many girls don’t want to risk bullying or social isolation as a result of playing sports. 
  • Experience isn’t as good – Girls’ participation in sports may decline as they get older because their experience isn’t as good as the boys. Less than optimal training times, lack of coach availability or funding for uniforms are just some of the reasons girls don’t get as good a sports experience as the boys. 
  • Cost – Budgets for sports are being slashed in schools, meaning that families need to fork out money for their girls to participate in sports. Travel expenses, sporting equipment, and expensive coaches may not be affordable for lower-income families, meaning that girls aren’t able to participate in sports. 
  • Lack of role-models – Girls aren’t typically exposed to many healthy, athletic female athletes while they’re growing up. Peer pressure can be hard for girls at any age, so if their friends aren’t interested in playing sports, it’s unlikely they will be either. Without strong encouragement and some positive female role models, girls may decide to drop out from sports altogether. 

Why girls need to continue participating in sports

Now let’s take a look at why we should be encouraging our girls to continue participating in sports. Here are a few great reasons: 

  • Life skills – Through participation in sports, girls learn vital life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence. 
  • Better health – Did you know that girls who stay active during adolescence are up to 20% less likely to develop breast cancer later in life? Strange, yet true! 
  • Better self-image – Girls who play sports develop more confidence in their bodies which can help to enhance their self-image and the way they feel about themselves. 
  • Role models for younger girls – If more girls see other girls participating in sports, they’re more likely to become inspired to get out on the field themselves. 

Fempro Armour: Protecting girls in sports 

Born out of a desire to protect females in high-impact sports, we provide female designed body armour and garments that keep girls safe while they enjoy the sports that they love. If your girl is into playing high-impact sports, we’ve got the right armour to keep her protected on the field. 

Check out our range of women’s protective gear here. 

Contact Sports, Impact Sports

What challenges do female athletes face?

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

There’s no denying it – for decades female athletes have had to face a different set of challenges to their male counterparts. 

And although female athletes and women in sport have made great strides in recent years, there are still many problems today in female athletic organisations. Female athletes still face obstacles and challenges in their sporting careers. 

In this article, we’ll outline the challenges female athletes face when competing professionally. 

Wage gap 

A significant challenge that female athletes face is the wage gap between men and women. While this isn’t just an issue for the sporting industry, there is a wage gap in almost every sport played by men and women. 

For instance, if you’re a female athlete competing in the WNBA, the average salary is around $71,635. Compare that to men playing in the NBA who earn a whopping $582,180. That’s a huge difference! Female athletes in the WNBA are starting to fight for equality but have not succeeded yet. 

Limited coverage of female sports

Part of the reason for such a large wage gap is because men’s sport is televised far more often than women’s sport. Money goes where the audience is, which is why we need to support female athletes by attending more events in-person and tuning in when women’s sports are televised. 

With more interest in women’s sports, there will be more money available (or at least we’d like to hope so). 

Not as much respect or recognition 

It’s unfortunate to have to write this but the fact is, female athletes tend to not receive as much recognition or respect as male athletes. Our accomplishments aren’t viewed as impressive as male accomplishments. These issues can affect a female athlete’s career, meaning she won’t receive as many opportunities as her male counterparts. It’s not fair, and something needs to be done about it. 

So what can we do about it? 

Providing more opportunities and encouragement for female athletes of all ages is incredibly important. In order to make the world of sports more even in terms of gender, we need to give womens sports and female athletes the attention they deserve. 

More awareness of female athletes in general, along with recognition of their strength, skill and determination will hopefully help to make women’s sports more popular over time so that some of this discrimination and challenges fade away.

This will give female athletes more confidence in themselves and their careers, while inspiring younger girls to take up more high-impact sports knowing that they will be treated equally to their male peers. 

Fempro Armour: Protecting female athletes on and off the field 

Born out of a desire to protect female athletes in high-impact sports, we provide female designed body armour and garments that keep women safe while they enjoy the sports that they love. Whether you’re into motocross or AFL, we’ve got the right armour to keep you protected while participating in high-impact sports. 

Check out our range of women’s protective gear here. 

Contact Sports, Impact Sports

Here’s why rugby is great for girls

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Most of us have been brought up with the idea that rugby is a “boys” sport, but the truth is, more and more people are learning that rugby is great for girls too.

In fact, in June of 2019 the World Rugby organisation revamped their brand identity by launching the ‘Women in Rugby’ campaign, which was designed to boost participation for women in the sport, while also getting the public behind women’s rugby.  

In this article, we’ll explore four reasons why rugby is great for girls. Let’s do this! 

4 reasons why rugby is great for girls 

Truth be told, there are heaps of reasons why rugby is great for girls. Here are just four that we believe to be important: 

Reason #1 – Girls of all shapes and sizes are celebrated in rugby

For decades and decades, women have been told by society that their value comes from having a thin frame and skinny body. And young girls can be particularly susceptible to this kind of messaging. 

One of the main reasons why rugby is great for girls is because the world of rugby couldn’t be further from diet culture and unhealthy beauty standards prescribed in magazines. Instead, rugby promotes a strong and healthy body. It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, there’s a position suitable for everyone when playing rugby. 

Reason #2 – Girls discover that failure is just a part of the game 

Another awesome reason why rugby is great for girls is that it teaches girls the value of teamwork. When your team loses a game, you come together and you figure out what went wrong and how you can improve next time. There’s no blame or shame in rugby, failure is just a part of the game and girls will learn that working together will help them to achieve a better result next time. 

Reason #3 – Rugby helps to build resilience and confidence 

A third reason why rugby is great for girls is because it’s a game that helps to build resilience and confidence, two super important traits for young girls to have. Rugby helps girls to gain physical strength and mental strength, which she will carry with her into all the other areas of her life.   

Reason #4 – Rugby teaches you how to tackle safely and effectively 

Let’s face it, rugby is a high-impact sport but this is also another good reason why rugby is great for girls. During training sessions, girls who play rugby will be taught how to safely and effectively tackle their teammates, which will also build their confidence on the field but also reduce any injuries that may occur.  

Rugby is great for girls, but it’s better with Fempro Armour 

If you’ve got girls that play rugby, you’ll want to make sure that they’re well-equipped with the right protection from day one. Check out our range of women’s protective gear, we offer high-quality armour to protect girls while they’re out on the field enjoying the sport they love. 

 

Contact Sports, Impact Sports, Injuries, Sports

Is it true that women athletes are more susceptible to injury?

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

The headline of this article says it all really, is it true that women athletes are more susceptible to injury? 

In an ideal world, all forms of sport would be pain free. How nice would it be if you left every training session with no soreness or aches and pains? 

But unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. The truth is, women athletes are slightly more susceptible to injuries than our male counterparts. Why? Well it all comes down to physiology and our genetic makeup. 

In this article, we’ll explore this fact a bit more closely. Let’s get to it! 

Why are women athletes more likely to suffer from injuries? 

As we just mentioned this susceptibility comes down to genetics. Women are more likely to suffer from conditions such as runner’s knee, stress fractures, shin splints and other conditions like plantar fasciitis. 

According to researchers, women have a higher risk of injuries to their lower extremities because they typically have a wider pelvis than out male counterparts. It seems that our baby-making hips tend to put more stress on our knees. 

On top of that, women athletes tend to have more lax ligaments and smaller muscles supporting their knees, putting us more at risk of knee injuries. 

But what about our bones? Well there’s not much good news there either. Women athletes (as well as women in general), have smaller bone dimensions and are genetically predisposed to have lower bone density. What this means is that women athletes have an increased risk of broken bones, particularly when playing high-impact sports. 

Women athletes are also more susceptible to hip and pelvis injuries due to our larger hip width to femoral length ratio, which leads to greater hip adduction. These muscles are located towards the lateral portion of the thigh.    

How to reduce your risk of injury as a woman athlete 

So with all that bad news, what can women athletes do to reduce their risk of injury while playing the sports they love? 

One tip is to make sure you’re getting adequate nutrition so that you can maintain healthy bones and reduce your risk of stress fractures. Many women athletes fall into the trap of under-fueling, so make sure you’re getting adequate calories every day. 

Other tips include; 

  • Improving motion and flexibility in your hips and glutes 
  • Building your bone density through cardio exercises and adequate nutrition 
  • Strengthening and balance exercises 
  • Wear the proper footwear for your physical activity
  • Wear appropriate protective gear when participating in high-impact sports (we can help you with that!)

Protect yourself better while playing high-impact sports with Fempro Armour 

The best way for women athletes to lower their risk of injuries while playing high-impact sports is to arm yourself with protective gear from Fempro Armour. 

We offer a range of protective armour, including our best selling XENA chest armour, designed to protect your sensitive chest area from the impacts that can occur while playing sport. Check out our range of protective gear here. Designed by women athletes for women athletes. 

 

Contact Sports, Female, Impact Sports

What is the female athlete triad? And what are the symptoms active women need to look out for?

Posted on by Stephanie Bofinger

Have you heard the term ‘female athlete triad’ thrown about lately? Wondering what the heck it is and why you should care? 

If you’re a female athlete, chances are you’re already trying to do all the right things – eating well, training regularly, and getting enough rest. But if you’re suffering from a condition known as female athlete triad syndrome, you may be experiencing symptoms that are throwing your body out of balance. 

In this article, we’ll outline what those symptoms are and give you a better understanding of what the female athlete triad is. 

So what is the female athlete triad?

Let’s start by defining what female athlete triad syndrome is. In essence, the female athlete triad is three conditions that are interrelated and most often experienced by active women. Those conditions are; underfuelling, menstrual cycle irregularity, and low bone mineral density. 

Now let’s explore these conditions a little more closely and outline the symptoms that you might be experiencing if you have female athlete triad syndrome. 

Signs of female athlete triad syndrome

If you’re suffering from female athlete triad syndrome you might have noticed the following symptoms: 

  • Decreased performance 
  • Fatigue
  • Longer recovery times
  • Increase in injuries
  • Abnormal periods
  • Moodiness
  • Impaired judgment 
  • Decrease in coordination

The good news is, once you’ve identified that you have a female athlete triad, you can address the underlying causes and get back on track with the help of a dietician. 

Condition one: Underfuelling 

You might be eating nutrient dense foods like fruits, vegetables and lean meats but if you’re not getting enough calories to fuel your body for training then you’re under fuelling your body which can turn into a serious problem. As an active woman, having the right level of nutrition is especially important. So if you’re not eating enough of the right foods you may end up with a female athlete triad. 

Condition two: Menstrual cycle irregularity 

If your period has become irregular or stopped altogether, it’s another sign that you may have female athlete triad. This is often a knock-on effect from not getting enough calories day to day. When you’re under fuelling your body, your body shuts down systems that aren’t essential for day to day survival – such as your menstrual cycle. 

Condition three: Low bone mineral density 

This is another symptom of female athlete triad that results from inadequate calories and nutrition. If you don’t get enough energy from your food, your bones won’t get the resources they need to recover from stress and damage. Bone mineral density is particularly important for active women, and without it you may find you have more stress fractures. Over a long period of time, low bone mineral density can also lead to osteoporosis. 

So what should you do if you suspect you have female athlete triad? 

If you think you might have female athlete triad, getting in touch with  a registered dietician is your best first step. This way you’ll receive lifestyle and diet advice that is tailored to you specifically. 

And when you’re back in tip-top condition, make sure you’re protected out on the field with Fempro Armour. We offer a range of female designed body armour to keep you protected while you play the sports you love. Check out our range here.