Sport and exercise for girls and young women
This information answers common questions from girls and young women with bleeding disorders about sport and exercise.
How can I best participate?
What types of sport or exercise should I do?
How can I manage my periods?
What about injuries?
What should I tell my coach or club?
Read on to learn more.
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WHAT KIND OF SPORT OR EXERCISE DO YOU ENJOY?
If you are a young woman or girl with a bleeding disorder, like everyone, you are encouraged to exercise and be active. It’s vital to healthy living!
GIVE IT A TRY!
There is something for everybody and it’s a matter of finding something that suits you, that you enjoy and that can get you moving.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or take up a lot of your time. The activity you choose can be easy, short and fun.
“There is no one size fits all. I keep active and try new things to find what works for me. Having the freedom to take these challenges on has helped me into adulthood and developed my confidence in all areas of life.”
WHAT TO TRY?
Looking for ideas? Young Australian women with bleeding disorders gave us some examples of what they do:
- walking
- hiking, bushwalking
- running
- soccer, t-ball, touch football
- gym workouts (weights and cardio)
- netball, basketball
- bike riding
- swimming
- Pilates, yoga, barre
- HIIT
- weightlifting, resistance training
- dancing, aerobics
RISKS? TALK TO YOUR HAEMOPHILIA TREATMENT CENTRE
For most types of exercise, Haemophilia Treatment Centres (HTCs) suggest you try it and contact them if you have any problems. If you have a severe bleeding disorder or very low factor levels, you might need to consider the type of exercise you participate in more carefully and discuss it with your HTC. If you are not sure whether it is suitable, call your HTC and have a chat to the physiotherapist. Their suggestion is that you ease into any new activity gently and build up skills, strength, power and length of time as you progress.
If you have injuries often or you are planning to start a new sport or high-level exercise and you are worried about the risks, please discuss it with your HTC/health professional first.
Your HTC can also help you with a plan to prevent and recover from injuries.
Take care with sports or exercise that involve banging yourself against people or things, doing repetitive or extreme movements, going high speed or dropping from a great height – definitely a good idea to talk to your HTC or health professional about risks and having a plan before you take them on!