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 woman’s 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 women’s basketball is broken up into longer sessions than the men’s 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 men’s game.
Once women started playing ball professionally, the style of the women’s uniforms also had to be altered to suit their feminine shape. The jersey’s tops were designed to allow space for the women’s 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 men’s 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 women’s hands is smaller than the men’s, 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 women’s 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 women’s 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 women’s 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 company’s products specifically to women.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse for men and women by far must have the most rule and equipment differences for men and women’s games. Most of the differences are due to the fact that women’s lacrosse is less physical than the men’s 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 men’s sticks, and the defense sticks are much shorter because the women’s 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.