National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Strength and Conditioning of Female Athletes. Part I: Lifespan, Injury, and Health Considerations

Dabbs, NC, Binkley, H, Bott, C, Fragala, MS, Herda, A, Moeskops, S, Moore, EWG, Smith-Ryan, A, and Triplett, NT. National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement on strength and conditioning of female athletes. Part I: lifespan, injury, and health considerations. J Strength Cond Res 40(8): 875–894, 2026—Throughout an athlete's lifespan, there are several contributing factors that can affect performance. Sex-specific physiological differences occur between male and female athletes that may result in different needs throughout the stages of an athlete's development and through maturation, where special consideration may be needed for specific health aspects and common injuries in female athletes. A greater understanding of the developmental stages of female athletes, including their unique biological differences in health and risk of injury, is warranted among strength and conditioning professionals to provide comprehensive training programs for female athletes. The purpose of this position statement is to help strength and conditioning practitioners understand current evidence and recommendations for female athletes throughout their lifespan, the female-specific injuries that may occur, and the health considerations that may enhance overall female athlete health and well-being. Therefore, Position Statement Part I is separated into 3 sections: (a) lifespan development, (b) injury considerations, and (c) health considerations.