Unit 2 - Children & Women in

Sports
Introduction

Growth and development are important part of life. In children physical activity plays an important
role for optimum growth and development. Motor development activities help to attain full growth
and development.

Good posture plays an important role in our development. many times, our growth and
development get hindered by postural deformities (Knock knee, Flat foot, Round Shoulders, Lordosis,
Kyphosis, Bow Legs and Scoliosis) which can be corrected by physical activities.

Motor Development

The word Motor, here refers to the movement of human body, whereas the word development
refers to growth and changes that occur as life progresses. According to J.E. Clark and Whitall, “motor
development refers to the changes in motor behaviour over the lifespan and the processes which
underlie these changes.”

Motor development is related to smooth and coordinated movement. Motor development refers to
development of child bones, muscles and ability to move around and manipulate their environment.

The learn to sit, stand, walk, run etc. thus, it is the study of changes of movement behaviour. In
fact, it is a combination of physical fitness (strength, speed, flexibility and endurance) along with
large and small muscles, bones and nervous system of the body. It provides perfection in action and
graceful movement. This is very important for children. Motor development in children is divided
into two parts: Gross Motor development and Fine Motor Development.

i). Gross Motor Development: it involves development of large or big muscles in child’s body.

Ex. Help them to stand, sit, run, jump, etc.

ii). Fine Motor Development: it involves development of small muscles (especially hands and
fingers) in body.

Ex. Help them to do fine works and accuracy work like catching, throwing, picking, kicking, dancing,
balancing, skill perfection, writing, drawing etc.

Exercise Guidelines at Different Stages

Infancy Stage

(1-2 years)

During this stage, physical activity should be encouraged which develops child gross motor ability like
body control, sitting, crawling etc.

Early Childhood Stage (3-7 years) During this age the main concern is to develop gross motor and fine
motor components.

Children should be encouraged to participate in movement skills like throwing, jumping, catching,
kicking etc.
Early Childhood Stage (3-7 years)

During this age the main concern is to develop gross motor and fine motor components.

Children should be encouraged to participate in movement skills like throwing, jumping, catching,
kicking etc.

Later Childhood Stage (7-12 years)

During this stage children should be involved in various activities which includes throwing, jumping,
catching etc. By doing these activities they can acquire body control, strength and coordination.
However, activities related to heavy endurance should be avoided.

Adolescence Stage (13-18 years)

During this stage moderate to vigorous intensity activities are recommended for 60 minutes.

They should involve themselves in muscle and bone strengthening exercises

Sports Participation of Women in India

Women are equally important in society, who takes part in social activities. Today, modern society
started accepting the women's participation in sports competition.

The trend of women participation in sports has improved in Indian society and thus the amount of
women participation in sports has increased.

In urban areas female participation in sports is higher than rural areas. Today, Indian society has
recognized many Indian sports women like Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu, Jwala
Datta etc.

Causes of Less Participation of Indian Women in Sports

• Gender inequality & social attitude

 No parental encouragement

• Traditional society

• Less motivation and inspiration

 . Women constraining other women

• Lack of plans and initiatives for sports for women by the Government

• Male dominant culture

• Less availability of women coaches

 No independent games facilities for women

 . More emphasis on study

 Less competition

 Economic Factors

 Social Customs and Rights

 Less Media Coverage

• Less spectators interest

 Lack of Incentives & Career

Common Postural Deformities

Kyphosis

This is a problem of the thoracic cage and clavicle spine. So, there is an abnormal curvature in the
spine at front. It causes a hump at the back of the body.

Causes

→ Some major Causes are malnutrition, illness, insufficient exercise, rickets, carrying heavy loads on
the shoulder, unsuitable furniture, weak muscles.

Corrective Measures

• Sit in the chair such that back touches the chair

• Keep a pillow under your back while sleeping

• Do some back bending Yoga Asanas regularly like chakrasana, dhanurasana and bhujangasana

Lordosis

It is the inward curvature of the spine. In this deformity Lumber-Spine which bends in front beyond
the normal level. Abdomen is ahead of the body.

Causes

Imbalance diet, improper environment, improper development of muscles, obesity and diseases
affecting vertebra

Corrective Measures

• All forward bending asanas and exercises are helpful for correcting

Lordosis

It is the inward curvature of the spine. In this deformity Lumber-Spine which bends in front beyond
the normal level. Abdomen is ahead of the body.

Causes

Imbalance diet, improper environment, improper development of muscles, obesity and diseases
affecting vertebra

Corrective Measures

• All forward bending asanas and exercises are helpful for correcting Lordosis

• Do Yoga such as Paschimottanasana, halasana

• Do forward bending
• Alternate toe touching

Scoliosis

It is the problem of the spine, where the vertebral column bends sideward. Scoliosis causes one
shoulder down and another raised up.

In some cases due to this deformity body weight is shifted towards sidewards and it causes a lot of
pressure on one side of the foot.

Causes

• Differences in leg length, lifting weights towards one side, wrong standing postures.

Corrective Measures

• Sideward bending exercises. It should be done on the opposite side of the curve.

• Hold horizontal bar and swing your body to sides

• Do chin ups

knock Knee

In this deformity knees knock or touch each other while standing, walking and running. The gap
between the ankles goes on increasing.

Causes

Lack of balance diet specially vit-D, calcium and phosphorous. It may happen due to Rickets, Weak
legs, Obesity during childhood, overweight etc.

Corrective Measures

 Pillow exercise: Pillow is kept between legs and press the legs.

• Outward walking: Walk over outer edges of foot

• Do some Yoga like Padmasana, Vriksh asana, Akarn Dhanu asana.

Bow Legs

In this deformity legs bend outward. The space between knees widens up.

Bow legs caused a lot of pressure over the lateral edges of feet. Rickets, Early childhood walking with
weight.

Corrective Measures

 Take balance diet

 Walk with toes inward

 Do Yoga such as Garud Asana, Ardhmatseyendra Asana

It is an abnormal condition of foot in which the arch of the foot collapses, with the entire sole
touches (complete or near complete) the ground. The children with flatfoot feel pain in their feet
when they walk or run.

Causes

 Weak muscles, Poor quality shoes, Overweight, Obesity, Prolonged standing Corrective Measures

Corrective Measures

 Corrective Measures

 Walking on heels.

 Rope skipping

 Jumping on toes

 Good quality shoes

 Writing with foot

Round Shoulders

It is the postural defect in which shoulders become round and sometime they are projected upward
and forward, i.e. shoulders are bent upward and forward. In these shoulders are bent forward from
the ideal alignment, thereby giving a narrow curve to upper back. It leads to postural deviations such
as hyper-kyphosis, or hunch back and anterior head carriage, or forward head posture. The chin is
downward and head is bent forward. This gives the round shape of shoulder. Causes: The main
causes of this deformity are like heredity, chronic neck pain or neck spondylitis poor postural habits
(wrong posture during reading or writing over chair or bed, using excessive smart-phones or tablet),
carrying overloaded

Causes:

The main causes of this deformity are like heredity, chronic neck pain or neck spondylitis, poor
postural habits (wrong posture during reading or writing over chair or bed, using excessive
smart-phones or tablet), carrying overloaded school bag by children, wearing tight fitted
clothes, weak muscles of chest and shoulder, faulty furniture etc.

Corrective Measures

• Yoga asana like: chakra Asana, Dhanur Asana, Bhujang Asana, Ushtt asana.

• Backward Bending Exercises

• Strengthening Back muscles like Reverse Sit-up

• Using Flat Bed: Using flat bed and thin pillow while sleeping.

Special consideration (Menarche and menstrual dysfunction)

Menarche

Menarche is the beginning of menstrual cycle or first menstrual bleeding in female, which is
considered the central event of female puberty.

Menarche is also considered as sexual maturity for girls.

After the onset of menarche female experiences many Physiological and anatomical changes like
increase body mass, secretion of oestrogen, gain in height, widening of pelvic region etc.

It occurs between 12 to 14 years of age. It varies due to biological, genetical, environmental and
nutrition factors.

Women with delayed menarche may get more success in some sports like gymnastics. Those who
have early menarche may have advantage in sports like swimming and rowing.

Menstrual Dysfunction

It is a disorder or irregular condition of women's menstrual cycle. It also can defined as abnormal
bleeding during menstrual cycle. Normal cycle varies from 21 to 35 days. These irregularities are
generally higher in athletes then non-athletic women.

During the period of menarche and menstrual dysfunction female can participate in moderate
physical activities without any complications.

Heavy training should be done with special care of personal cleanliness and hygiene factors. If
complications arise then women can consult with gynecologist.

Female Athlete Triad

It is the syndrome of female which includes Osteoporosis, Amenorrhea and Eating disorders. which is
known as Traid. These traid can be serious with lifelong health consequences.

The symptoms of traid are fatigue, low body weight then required, frequent injuries, loss of fitness,
low self-esteem, cessation of menstruation (It’s a natural process that occurs when a women’s
ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones for at least 12 months in a row), etc.

Osteoporosis

It is weakening of bone due to loss of bone mineral density. Low level of oestrogen and poor
nutrition especially lower calcium intake lead to Osteoporosis.

Causes

Insufficient calcium and vitamin D in diet

 Hormone level decrease

• Menstrual dysfunction for more than six months

• Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation cycle. It is often defined as missing one or more
menstrual periods. Amenorrhea also refers to the absence of menstruation in someone who has not
had a period by age 15.

Causes

Main causes of primary amenorrhea relate to hormone levels, although anatomical problems also
can cause amenorrhea.

problems also can cause amenorrhea.

Eating Disorder

Many girls or women tries to lose weight by unethical way in order to improve

their performance or look good, which leads to serious health problems.

There are two types of eating disorders.

1. Anorexia Nervosa

It is an eating disorder which causes people to obsess about weight and what they eat. Anorexia is
characterised by a distorted body structure, with an unwanted fear of being overweight. People
trying to maintain a below-normal weight through starvation or too much exercise.

2. Bulimia Nervosa

In this disorder female athletes eat excessive amount of food and vomit intentionally in order to not
gaining weight. threatening eating disorder.

It is a serious eating disorder marked by bingeing. Bulimia is a potentially life People take dangerous
steps to avoid weight gain like vomiting (purging), excessive exercising or fasting.