Equipment
Having proper sports equipment is an integral part in ensuring
the advancement of any individual in a sport. Men and women possess many
inherent differences that force them to require gear that is specific to
their needs. The truth of the matter is that physical size, and the percentage
of the body fat distribution of women, is totally different from that of
a man. Therefore, this alters the way that a woman can be trained, and
the effects of this training. Although a man and a woman could be trained
for the same sport, by the same teacher, and at the same time, their behavior
will be different. This poses the need for women to have different training
techniques, and different tools to bring about the desired effects of training.
So, as time progressed the sports industry realized this and decided to
design equipment that enhances feminine qualities in effort to increase
their performance in sports. Companies like
Asics, have designed shoes that matches the high arch of a womans
foot; sports designers have provided the variation of pastel and bright
colors
to their equipment in
order to sooth the female athletes femininity of a fashion sense.
Not only does revolutionary ideas like these help to enhance player performance,
but knowing that there are people who believe in them enough to cater to
their specific needs, gives these athletes that extra boost to want to
do sports, and advance in it. As you read on, delight yourself in, The
Specifications of Sports Equipment for Women.
Basketball
As with many sports, basketball requires a great deal of dexterity. Dexterity can only be obtained if these players have the proper equipment to accentuate their skills. Click here to see the official equipment needed in professional basketball.
One main difference between men and women is the size of their hands. In order to compensate for the smaller hands of women, basketballs that women used had to be created with a smaller circumference. This would allow for them to be better apt in manipulating ball movements effectively.
While keeping the physical architecture of a women in mind,
the weight of the ball itself was decreased. Women generally have smaller
biceps
and triceps than men; and, because womens basketball is broken
up into longer sessions than the mens the ball had to be made lighter.
A ball that is too heavy would make them use more energy which would
in turn
slow down the rate of the game and decrease their stamina levels; as
the duration of their game is already divided in longer sessions than
the mens
game.
Once women started playing ball professionally, the style of the womens
uniforms also had to be altered to suit their feminine shape.
The jerseys
tops were designed to allow space for the womens breasts, while
the shorts had to recompense for the wide pelvic region of the women. If
you would like to find out more diffferences between men and women's
basketball, plese feel free to click here.
Volleyball
Unlike many other sports that use balls, the size of the volleyball itself in the game of volleyball does not vary with the male and female games. However, there are regulations in net height for men and women games. Since women are generally shorter, their net heights are shorter than the mens as well. The height of the net is usually about six inches higher than for men than women; but the actual height varies with the level of competition.
Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball
On the professional level, baseball is only played by men,
while softball only by women. The rules of the game are fairly similar
which in effort
allows them to use the same types of equipment. But, the ball used
in softball is usually larger that that used in baseball. Size can
range
to the softball
being about two to three inches bigger and a circumference of five
to seven centimeters larger than the baseball.
The bats used by women in softball is also a few pounds lighter than
the men to compensate for their strength which is naturally less than
men.
Moreover, the size of the womens hands is smaller than the mens, and larger than children. Therefore, this brought rise to the manufacturing of mitts designed for women.
To see other differences between softball and baseball feel free ro clck here.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is described as the fastest growing sport
for women throughout the world. Because of their increased participation
and extraordinary accomplishments, sports designers are now
making
womens
equipment specifically for their bodies; and the ice hockey federation
has approved it as being appropriate.
Unlike men, who are able to endure constant pounding, the bodies of women
are not capable of such physical contact. Shoulder pads are now made to
allow more protection to ladies because of their delicate structure.
Hockey pants are now even made specific for both men and women unlike in
the past when women had to wear male pants because it was their only choice.
These women-specific hockey pants also serves as a means of higher protection
for females.
To find out more about womens ice hockey please click here.
Cycling
Contrary to popular beliefs, cycling is not as frivolous
of a sport as many may think. It requires a great deal of endurance and
skill that
is either highlighted or dampened by the equipment used by the cyclists.
Hence,
equipment for men and women had to be altered in order to enhance and
suit their individual needs.
Today, bikes are made specifically with a womens physique in mind.
Since women are generally shorter than men but with longer legs, their
bikes must be of reasonable size to compensate for such differences. If
the bikes are not of proper fit for the women, it can cause harm to her
groin area . Hence, bicycle engineers such as Terry
Bikes, gear their companys
products specifically to women.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse for men and women by far must have the most rule and equipment differences for men and womens games. Most of the differences are due to the fact that womens lacrosse is less physical than the mens game and no body checking is allowed. Hence, there is no need for anyone other than the goalie to have all of the body protection guards that men use. Furthermore, the sticks have shallower pockets than the mens sticks, and the defense sticks are much shorter because the womens game is more about skill and dexterity rather than the harsh player to player contact that men are able to use in replacement of such high proficiency.