CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN SPORTS

1.1

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT :-

“Motor Development, The Development Of Child’s Bones, Mussels, & His/her Abilities To Move
Around & Manipulate His/her Own Environment”.

“In The Layman’s Terms, The Growth of Movement and Various Motor Abilities from Birth Till
Death Is Called Motor Development. It Includes All The Motor Movements Of The Body Which
Includes “The Movements Of The Eyes, Arms, Legs And Hands, Which In Turn Provides Most Of The
Perceptual Information Infants, Receive”.

“Motor Development Means The Physical Growth And Strengthening Of A Child's Bones, Muscles
And Ability To Move And Touch His/her Surroundings.”

Ex. – Sitting, Walking, Running, Climbing, Catching, Jumping, Throwing, Dressing, Holding,
And Using Pencils, Pens, Scissors And Keyboards.

A Child's Motor Development Falls into Two Categories: Fine Motor and Gross Motor.

1. Gross Motor Development

2. Fine Motor Development

 Gross Motor Development: - Gross motor development is the development of the large
muscles in a child’s body. It helps the child to sit, stand walk, run and so on.

 Fine Motor Development: - fine motor development is the small movements of small muscles
of the body, especially in the hands, wrists and fingers. It includes holdings, pouring of drinks,
using of cups, catching, gymnastics exercises, dressing, picking up objects.
 MOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN

There Are 3 Stages Of Motor Development In Children.

 EARLY CHILDHOOD
 MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
 LATE CHILDHOOD

 EARLY CHILDHOOD: - [03 TO 06 YEARS]

Early childhood, defined as the period from birth to eight years old, is a time of remarkable
growth with brain development at its peak. During this stage, children are highly influenced by
the environment and the people that surround them.
Early childhood development is defined as the period. From conception up to school entry. It is
a unique. Window of opportunity for children's cognitive, social, emotional and physical
development, which occurs as.

Ex. - Prep School Years Age Where The Child Will Learn Jumping, Throwing, Climbing
Ladders, basic gymnastics, swimming.

 MIDDLE CHILDHOOD:- [07 to 10 YEARS]

Middle childhood (usually defined as ages 07 to 10) is a time when children develop
foundational skills for building healthy social relationships and learn roles that will prepare them
for adolescence and adulthood.
The urge for completion among children of their own age group starts during this phase. Even if
they are enthusiastic to participate and compete, competition should be minimum, without rigid
rules and have less instruction time.

Ex. - They learn good Posture, balance become better, grown own speed related ability speed,
and flexibility develop at slow rate.

 LATE CHILDHOOD:- [11 to 12 YEARS]

At the age of 11 years, children are better able at making decisions and begin to understand that
everyone has different beliefs. There is rapid height gain. They have a hard time sitting still.
This is the period in which most of the complex motor skills are mastered and boys and girls can
compete eventually.

Ex. - learns to handle typical & complex play combination, more focus on strategies and tactics,
mind development. And start participating on tournaments.
1.2

FACTORS AFFECTING MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

Motor development in children depends on many factors. They are as follows-

 Biological factors
 Environmental factors
 Nutrition
 Physical activities
 Opportunities
 Sensory impairments
 Postural deformities
 Obesity

 Biological factors - Anything which affects the function and behavior of a living organism.
Internally, this factor can be a physical, physiological, chemical, neurological, or genetic
condition which causes a psychological effect. They are linked with gens and are also known
as genetic or heredity factors.

 Environmental factors- Environmental factors make up the physical, social and attitudinal
environment in which people live and conduct their lives. Motor development of child is also
affected by environmental factors such as physical and social factors.

 Nutrition - The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. Nutrition is
a 3-part process. First, food or drink is consumed. Second, the body breaks down the food or
drink into nutrients. Good motor development can be derived from nutritious food. On other
hand, children without proper nutrition lose their energy and have poor development motor
skills.

 Physical activities - WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by
skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement
including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person's
work.
 Opportunities - Opportunities refer to favorable external factors that could give an
organization a competitive advantage. For example, if a country cuts tariffs, a car
manufacturer can export its cars into a new market, increasing sales and market share.

 Sensory impairments – This is like visual impairments, hearing impairments’, etc. are likely to
affect the motor development of children. Movements are the product of the coordination
between the central nervous system, the sensory organs and the muscles and joints.

 Postural deformities - Postural deformity means not having proper alignment of the body
parts. An individual who has postural deformities cannot perform his work efficiently.
Postural deformities are flat foot, kyphosis, knock knee and bow legs, spinal curvature
deformities.

 Obesity - For adult men and women, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.
Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9; and a BMI of 30 or higher is
considered obese.
1.3
EXERICES GUIDELINES

1. INFANCY [01 TO 2 YEARS] –

 Reaching And Grasping
 Tummy Time
 Crawling
 Pushing
 Pulling
 Grabbing

Toddlers (child who can walk on their own]

 Standing up
 Moving around
 Rolling
 Ball games

Children below 5 years

 Climbing frame
 Riding bike
 Running & chasing games

2. Early childhood [3 to 7 years]-

 Participation Must
 Running
 Jumping
 Skipping
 At least 60 Min Of Exercise

3. Later childhood [8 to 12 years]

 Body control
 Strength
 Co-ordination
 Team games
 Team spirit
 Building endurance

4. Adolescence [13 to 19 years]

 Normal exercise 60 min to 3hrs
 Muscles building exercise 3 days// per week
 Team building
 Leadership qualities
1.4
POSTURAL DEFORMITIES - Postural deformity means not having proper alignment of the body
parts. An individual who has postural deformities cannot perform his work efficiently. Postural
deformities are flat foot, kyphosis, knock knee and bow legs, spinal curvature deformities,

Some of the commonly known postural deformities are given below-

 Knock knees
 Bow legs
 Flat foot
 Rounded shoulder
 Spinal curvature

1. Knock knee – the scientific name of knock knee is GENU VALGUM. The term originates
from the Latin word genu which means ‘knee and valgus’ which means bent outside. It is a
condition of postural deformity where the knees knock or rub together while walking or standing
the feet and ankles are far apart than normal.
Causes – lack of vitamin D, Calcium, phosphors, obesity or flat foot.
Precaution – take proper diet, don’t force baby to walk,
Remedies – Padamasan & gomukhasan daily cycling 20-30min, horse riding, keep a pillow
between legs.

2. Bow legs- Bow leg is simply a normal variation in legs appearance. It is a condition of physical
deformities marked by an outward bowing of the legs, knees are wide apart and ankles are
touching there is a distinct space between lower legs and knees which is opposite to knock
knees.
Causes – lack of vitamin D, Calcium, phosphors, obesity or flat foot.
Precaution – take proper diet, don’t force baby to walk,
Remedies – Garudasan & Ardhchakarasan, walk on inner edge of foot, special shoes, leg
brace.

3. Flat foot- you have flatfeet when the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened, allowing
the entire soles of your feet to touch the floor when you stand up. A common and usually
painless condition, flatfeet can occur when the arches don't develop during childhood.
Causes – obesity, weal muscle
Precaution – proper shoes, no obesity, no high heel shoes.
Remedies – vajarasan & yogic asana. Skipping rope, jumping on toes.
4. Rounded shoulder – this postural abnormality is characterized by a dropping shoulder which
appears round and a slight forward bending of their back.
Causes – heredity, tight cloths, wrong sitting, excessive weight training, wrong sitting.
Precaution – proper posture, avoid sitting on faulty furniture.
Remedies – Chakarasa, dharunasana, keep your fingers on your shoulder and roate. Hang
on horizontal bar.

5. Spinal curvature - an abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column.

Lordosis.- Also called swayback, the spine of a person with lordosis curves significantly inward
at the lower back. Halasan.
Kyphosis.- Kyphosis is characterized by an abnormally rounded upper back (more than 50
degrees of curvature). Dhanurasan, chakras an.
Scoliosis- scoliosis is the abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It can be bending twisting or
rotation of the spine. Tadasan, table pose, trikonasana.
1.5
PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SPORTS
According to the Women and Sport report, women who participate in sporting activities at school have
a 76% chance or remaining interested in sport for the rest of their lives. In the 1970s and 1980s girls'
participation in these activities increased, and it has been these women who have turned the tables since
then.

Sport has the power to change lives. The ability to drive gender equality by teaching women and girl’s
teamwork, self-reliance, resilience and confidence. Women in sport defy gender stereotypes and social
norms; make inspiring role models, and show men and women as equals.

Competitive and recreational sport is one source of physical activity. Only 25 percent of women
participate in sport compared to 43 percent of men

 In Olympics women for the first time in1900. 20-25 women’s were participated in Olympic.
 In 2000 Olympia Games Weight Lifting KARNAM MALLESHWARI Won Bronze And
Become First Medalist.

SOME POPULAR WOMES WITH RECORDS;-

1. ANJU BOBBY GEORGE – KERELA – ATHLETICS 2003 BORNZE
2. SAINA NEHWAL – BADMINTON – 2014 [AWARD- AMBESSODER OF
GOODWILL]
3. P.V. SINDHU - BADMINTON – SILVER AT RIO 2016, BECOME 1 ST WOMEN
WHO BRINGS MEDALS IN OLYMPICS
4. SAKSHI MALIK – WRESTLER – BONZE IN RIO
5. P.T. USHA – 100M, 200M SILVER & 400M GOLD
1.6
Why Fewer women participation in sports?
 Lack of adequate legislation for gender equality.
 Lack of time to dedicate to sports.
 Masculine sports culture.
 Lack of self confidence.
 Lack of interest.
 Lack of female sportspersons as role models.
 Lack of fitness and wellness movements.
 Lack of education among women.
 Fewer number of women coach.
 Attitude of society towards women’s participation.
 Lack of personal safety.
 Lack of proper access to facilities.
 Lack of female sports persons as Role models.
 Lack of time to dedicate sports
 Lack of self-confidence & interest.
 Fewer number of women coaches.

IMPORTANTS:-
1. Scientific name of knock knee is GENU VALGUM.
2. In 2000 Olympia Games Weight Lifting KARNAM MALLESHWARI Won Bronze And
Become First Medalist.
3. Rickets DISEASE is one of the most causes of bow legs.
4. SAKSHI MALIK is the athlete who secured a bronze medal in 2016 Olympics.
5. KYPHOSIS IS A POSTURAL DEFORMITY ALSO KNOWN AS ROUND BACK OF
HUMPBACK.
6. A person with a condition of bow legs deformity should try to walk on inner edge of the feet.
7. M.C. MARY KOM is the first Indian woman who won a bronze medal in 2012 London
Olympics.
8. Gross and fine are the types of motor development of muscles in the body.
9. Halasan is the asana is suggested for the relief from lordosis.
10. Scoliosis postural deformity is there an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
11. P.v.sindhu is the first Indian to win a silver medal in badminton at the summer Olympics.
1.7
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

MENARCHE & MENSTRAL DYSFUNCTION

Women have been achieving worldwide success in many fields, especially sports, over the last decades.
The world is discovering their true potential through remarkable skills and performances shown by
increasing number of women. they are breaking records, still many people argue that women do not
possess the requisite physical, psychological and physiological structures and abilities which are
essential in sports, such as, muscular strength and endurance, aggression, competitiveness etc.
generally, it is believed that sports activities cause disorders during various processes of menstruation,
such as, menarche, menstrual cycle, menstrual bleeding or periods.

 MENARCHE
 MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION

MENARCHE:-
 The onset of the first menstrual bleeding or period in a female is called menarche.
 Occurrence of first menstrual cycle in female.
 The average age for menarche ranges from 12-14 years.
 Sometimes may begin at 8-9 years of age at the age of 16 years.
 Delayed or early, menarche is a sign that the female body is developing and taking a definite
step towards maturity.
 Delayed Menarche = good for gymnastics.
 Early Menarche = goof for swimming.

MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION:-
 The average menstrual cycle consists of 21-35 days and menstrual bleeding or periods occur
during the first 2-7 days of the cycle.
 Each cycle ends on the first day of the next menstrual bleeding.
 Any abnormality or irregularity in this process is termed as menstrual dysfunction.
 It is reported that about 9-30% of women suffer from menstrual dysfunction of one form or the
other.

 Psychological aspects of women athlete

1. More goals oriented
2. Psychological stronger
3. Less aggressive
4. Fast adaptation
5. Image conscious
6. Poise & confidence
Some common types of menstrual dysfunction are listed below:-

 Amenorrhea: - a case of delayed menarche or case of absence of menstrual periods for 6

months or more after the last period is called Amenorrhea. Sometimes it may be absent for
years.
Host of amenorrhea Causes- intensive exercise on a regular basis, eating disorder, low body
weight, high stress level, and illness.

 Dysmenorrheal: - a menstrual periods accompanied by sharp pain or cramps in the lower

abdomen (stomach) and pelvic area is called Dysmenorrheal.

 Premenstrual syndrome: - before the onset of menstrual periods is called Premenstrual

syndrome .experiencing symptoms like pain in the back legs or abdomen, mood swings, water
retention, tender breasts, headaches, constipations, depression or emotional stress.

 Menorrhagia or heavy periods:- normally the menstrual flow is heavy at first and then
gradually decrease, but increased and heavy flow at regular intervals or a loss of more than
80ML of blood during each menstrual bleeding indicates Menorrhagia or heavy periods.

 Irregular periods:- mostly, menstrual cycles form a regular pattern of every 21-35 days after 1-
3 years from the first bleeding or menarche. For some females, periods might skip altogether for
months or come earlier than expected.

 Prolonged periods: - on an average, the menstrual bleeding or periods lasts about 2-7 days.
Prolonged periods are longer than this duration and occur at unpredictable intervals.

 Delay in menarche: - the average age of menarche in female ranges from 12-14 years. If it is
later than 14 years and above, it is a case of delayed menarche, which is also termed as primary
amenorrhea.
FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD: - is a syndrome in which eating disorders, osteoporosis and
amenorrhea, eating disorders effect adversely on the body.

1. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder in which reduction in bone mass may cause fracture.

Causes

a. Insufficient calcium in diet.

b. Amenorrhea

c. Eating disorder

d. Bad eating habits

Osteoporosis: - Low bone mass.

2. Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstrual periods. It may be either primary meaning woman
has never developed menstrual periods) or secondary (absence of menstrual periods in a woman who
was previously menstruating). There are many reasons responsible for amenorrhea including extensive
exercise and improper diet. Exercising intensively and not consuming enough calories can lead to
decreases in hormones that result in a girl's periods becoming irregular or stopping altogether.

Amenorrhea: - Absence of menstrual period for more than 6 months.

Anemia: - Resulting from the inadequate nutrition.

Eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa

In this eating disorder the female athlete only think about food, dieting, and body weight all the time.
They have distorted body structure. Other individuals usually feel them that are becoming thin but they
do not believe this. In front of the mirror they see themselves obese.

Bulimia nervosa

In this eating disorder the female eats excessive amount of food and then vomits it in order not to gain
weight. In this disorder, an individual binges on food and feels a loss of control. Then to prevent weight
gain try to vomit the food.