The Adolescent Female: Supporting the Transition from Girl to Woman

Pinchbeck, Jessica and Lingam-Willgoss, Candice (2024). The Adolescent Female: Supporting the Transition from Girl to Woman. In: Pinchbeck, Jessica; Rea, Simon and Lingam-Willgoss, Candice eds. Optimising Female Athletic Performance. Routeledge.

URL: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003330110

Abstract

Adolescence describes the transition period between childhood and adulthood. It is a time where an individual experiences intense bouts of physiological and psychological growth and development, which for females includes the onset of the menstrual cycle. The body changes considerably as does the importance and value placed on social relationships, including a powerful quest to establish an identity (Lundvall & Walseth, 2014). During this time there are many pressures placed on females that can result in a reduction of activity and even withdrawal. Such pressures that arise can be linked to body image, perceived competence and intricacies surrounding gender stereotypes and ideologies. This chapter revisits concepts such as menstruation, prevalence of injury and breast health but specifically applies them to the adolescent athlete. The ways that adolescent females can be supported while navigating the challenges of this life stage is also examined.

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