The increase in female sports participation has led to a rise in injuries, affecting the continuity of involvement. A group of 109 researchers, including three from the University of Calgary, has put forth 56 recommendations for preventing injuries specifically in women and girls. Carolyn Emery, co-leader of the group funded by the International Olympic Committee, highlighted the escalating rates of injuries and concussions among female athletes worldwide. She emphasized the historical lack of preventive efforts focused on female athletes compared to males and elite athletes.
Canada has witnessed a surge in women’s sports, with the recent establishment of leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League and soccer’s Northern Super League, along with significant achievements by Canadian women in sports such as reaching the Rugby World Cup final. The upcoming entry of the WNBA in Canada with the Toronto Tempo further indicates the growth of women’s sports.
Female hockey registration in Canada has shown a consistent increase, reaching 114,000 in 2024-25, with Hockey Canada aiming for 170,000 by 2030. However, a discussion paper from Hockey Canada highlighted the lack of specific injury prevention education tailored for girls in hockey, contributing to fewer girls staying in the sport.
The recommendations from the consensus paper stress the importance of equitable funding for injury surveillance and trained medical staff, creating safe environments free from body shaming, and mandating neuromuscular warm-ups to prevent initial and recurrent injuries. Emily Heming, a researcher from Calgary, emphasized the need to address the under-representation of females in sports science research and tailor injury prevention strategies to meet the rising numbers of female athletes.
Rugby Canada reported 16,528 registered female players in 2025, reflecting the growing participation of women in sports. The Rally Report published by Canadian Women and Sport highlighted the increasing dropout rates among girls, with injuries being a significant factor. Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO of CWS, emphasized the lack of research on injury prevention for female athletes and the need to address biases in the field.
Carly McKay, another co-author of the consensus paper and an associate professor at the university, pointed out the disparities in resources and support for women’s sports compared to men’s, underscoring the need for tailored strategies and interventions for female athletes to address these challenges.
The study of anterior cruciate ligament tears in female athletes has linked menstrual cycles to injury risks. FIFA has supported research to investigate whether menstrual cycles contribute to severe knee injuries in women’s soccer. Notably, female athletes face higher rates of ACL injuries and concussions compared to males, highlighting the urgency of implementing effective prevention strategies tailored to the specific needs of female athletes.