Calgary researchers help shed light on gaps in sport injury prevention for women

With more women and girls playing sports, there's been a corresponding rise in injuries that can end participation.

That's the consensus of 109 researchers, including three from the University of Calgary, who have made 56 recommendations for injury prevention specific to women and girls.

"Globally, sport participation rates among female, women and girl athletes are increasing exponentially, and so too are the injury and concussion rates," said Carolyn Emery, who co-led the group funded by the International Olympic Committee.

"Historically, prevention efforts have been largely in male and elite athlete population, and so there was just a huge gap here."

Women's sport has surged in Canada with the recent launches of the Professional Women's Hockey League and soccer's Northern Super League, plus Canada's women reaching the final of the Rugby World Cup. The WNBA arrives in Canada next year with the Toronto Tempo.

"Those playing at that high level, they're survivors," Emery said. "They managed to survive their sporting career at a younger age. We know the No. 1 dropout factor is injury. We want to have solutions to really prevent that injury from happening in the first place."

Female hockey registration in Canada has risen year over year to 114,000 in 2024-25. Hockey Canada's goal is 170,000 by 2030.

But a Hockey Canada steering committee stated in a discussion paper last year that "limited and inconsistent injury prevention education designed specifically for girls playing hockey has led to fewer girls staying in hockey, and sport in general."

The consensus paper's recommendations range from the need for equitable funding and resources when it comes to injury surveillance and trained medical staff, to creating safe