title: The female athlete.
abstract: Anatomic considerations are the female athlete's wider pelvis, shorter extremities and lower center of gravity. There is little qualitative difference in the muscle tissue of men and women; differences in strength stem from the amount of muscle mass. Amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea is common in runners, ballet dancers, cyclists, gymnasts, body builders, figure skaters and, to a lesser extent, swimmers. Pregnancy limits activity, but current evidence indicates that exercise during pregnancy is not harmful to either the mother or the fetus.
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001940:Breast / Q000293:injuries; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013177:Sports; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology