Health Effects of Exercise in African Females: Myths, Facts and Benefits

By Victory Onyenekwe. B.Sc. Ed. (Physical and Health Ed). Freelance Health Writer and Datelinehealth Africa volunteer. 

 

A black lady exercising on a treadmill. Image credit: Freepik

 

Highlights

• Female participation in physical exercise and sports is still generally lower than their male counterparts.

• Physical exercise refers to bodily movements that make use of energy and enhances or maintains fitness and overall health.

• Gender roles, societal constructs, stigma, parental influence, cultural and religious barriers are some of the challenges working against female participation in physical exercise in Africa.

• Benefits of physical exercise in females include improved mental health, good sleep, strengthening of pelvic floor, bone health, and weight management.

 

Introduction

The participation of African adult women and girls in sports and physical exercise is still lower than their male counterparts, despite some barriers that have been broken.

Several myths and falsehoods hinder the participation of adult African women and girls in sports and other physical exercise. These are closely linked to gender discrimination, societal expectations and gender roles. 

To encourage adult women and girls to participate in exercise, and bridge the gap between women and men in sports, it is important to showcase the myths and falsehoods, by highlighting the facts and benefits of exercise to females. These are the aims of this blog. 

Read on to learn more!

 

What is Physical Exercise?

Physical exercise refers to bodily movements that make use of energy and enhances or maintains fitness and overall health. Examples of physical exercises include: squats, sit ups, jogging, running, jumping jacks, bench press, bicep curls etc.

There are varied reasons why physical exercises can be performed, this includes weight loss, improve muscle strength, developing athletic skills or improving health in general.

 

What Are the Challenges of African Female Participation in  Exercise?

Female participation in physical exercise in Africa faces a number of challenges, these include:

• Gender roles: In some parts of Africa, traditional gender roles are a hindrance to women’s participation in physical exercise. Family obligations like caring for the household, children and relatives are time consuming and exhausting, thereby leaving a shortage of time for engaging in physical exercise.

• Cultural and religious barriers: Certain religious and cultural beliefs prevent women from participating in physical exercise or sports. These restrictions come as a result of lack of modest sport clothing or for lack of exercise and sporting facilities that cater to only women. 

• Societal construct: The notion that sports and physical exercise is for men, and that women are not to participate in physical exercise to avoid looking masculine, becoming promiscuous or infertile has led to low participation of young girls and women in physical exercise and sports.

• Stigma: In order to avoid becoming muscular and being addressed as men or called masculine, lots of young girls and women choose not to exercise, so as to maintain the so-called “soft structure” that is expected in a woman.

• Lack of funding and facilities: More attention is paid to men’s sporting and physical exercise facilities than that of women. Funding and sponsorships in schools are canvassed for the menfolk relegating that of women to the background.

• Parental influence: Parents would sometimes discourage their female children from participating in physical exercise or sports because they believe it is not ladylike. Some parents believe that physical exercise affects the reproductive system of girls and can affect their menstrual cycle.

 

What Are the Myths and Falsehoods About African Female Participation in Exercise?

Myths are widely held false beliefs or ideas that are often based on tradition, culture or religion and have no basis in reality. 

Misconceptions are simply false statements or claims or ideas that are poorly understood by people.

There are so many myths and misconceptions that surround female participation in physical exercise. It is possible you may have heard some of these or you believe them.  

Here are some examples of myths and misconceptions that surround female participation in physical exercise:

• Females are fragile and should not be exposed to strenuous activities, because they are the weaker sex and are not built to withstand high endurance activities.

• Engagement in physical exercise and sporting activities can lead to the loss of virginity.

• Physical exercise can lead to infertility in women, affecting their reproductive and sexual health.

• Physical exercise makes women look muscular and masculine, as opposed to the cultural beauty standards of being ‘soft and curvy”.

• Sporting activities and physical exercise leads to irregular menstruation and can alter the menstrual cycle of a woman.

• Women who engage actively in sporting activities are promiscuous and cannot get married

 

What are the Facts About Female Participation in Exercise?

Here are some facts that debunk the myths and misconceptions about female engagement in physical activities:

• Females are strong enough to enjoy sporting activities or physical exercise of their choice. They only require proper training and adequate warm-ups before engaging in these activities.

• The hymen can be torn not only during physical exercise, [1] but also during other strenuous activities. There are also other factors that can lead to the hymen breaking such as inserting a tampon or menstrual cup, and this does not mean that a girl has lost her virginity.

• Physical exercise does not have any negative impact on the reproductive health of females, and it does not lead to infertility in women. 

• Like in men, the female muscles do increase and are toned after engaging in physical exercise. However, the feminine appearance is still maintained by the female hormones of the body.

• Menstruation may cease during active and intense exercises, but it re-establishes and does not prevent pregnancy from occurring.

• One of the ethics of physical exercise and sports is discipline. Physical exercise develops an individual in all aspects of health, including discipline and morality.

There are also several examples of sportswomen who are married.

 

What are the Benefits of Exercise to African Females?

Physical exercise generally has a lot of benefits. Here are some benefits females enjoy from participating in physical exercises:

• Mental Health:  Physical exercise relieves stress, improves mood, decrease anxiety, and stimulate the release of endorphins. 

• Improved Sleep: Exercise improves sleep quality in women. Quality sleep improves one’s ability to manage and handle stress.

• Bone Health: Exercises such as running and weightlifting help in strengthening the bone. It also reduces the risk of falls and Osteoporosis in women.

• Weight Management: Women who engage in physical exercise are able to maintain a healthy weight that is proportionate to their age and height.

• Chronic Disease Management: Exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension in women and it regulates blood cholesterol level.

• Strengthen Pelvic Floor: Kegel exercises help to strengthen the pelvic floor of women who have gone through childbirth.

• Sex Life: Exercise promotes a better sex life

 

What are Ways to Encourage African Females to Engage in Exercise?

• Awareness Raising and Education: Widespread public support for women can improve their level of participation in physical exercise. Encouraging young girls in school to take part in physical exercise, and educating them on the benefits of physical exercise.

• Dispelling Gender Discrimination: Use policies and legislation to enforce action against gender discrimination in sports, and engage in organising well-advertised public seminars and conferences on the dangers of gender discrimination in sports and other physical exercises.

• Debunking Myths and Falsehoods: Fact-checking and dispelling myths and falsehoods about female participation in exercise will encourage more African adult women and girls to participate in physical exercise with active support from parents of the girls
• Breaking the Coach Ceiling: Appointing more women as coaches, referees, and other officials would help more girls to feel comfortable enough to participate in exercise and sports.

• Sportswear Design: Creating more modest sports clothing to accommodate women and young girls of different religious and cultural backgrounds

 

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]

• Can I Participate in Physical Exercise When I have my Period?

Yes! You can participate in physical exercise during menstruation, as long as you are not in severe pain and you are using a pad, menstrual cup or tampon.

• Does Physical Exercise Shrink my Womb? 

No, Physical exercise does not have any effect on your womb, and cannot make your womb shrink.

• Can I Engage in Physical Exercice When Pregnant?

You can engage in physical exercise while pregnant but it is important to ensure that you have spoken with your doctor before engaging in any form of exercise.

• Do I Need to go to The Gym Before I Can Exercise?

No. You do not need to go to the gym before you can exercise, there are exercises that can be done in the comfort of your home. 

 

Conclusion

Women and young girls alike stand to benefit a lot from participating in physical exercise. Parents, schools and the society in general must ensure that good health behaviors such as engaging in regular exercise is inculcated in the lives of young girls and women. 

We must get rid of all myths and misconceptions about female participation in physical exercise and provide a safe space for African women and young girls to be active. These ensure that women in Africa are healthy and active.

 

Resource 

Hegazy AA, Al-Rukban MO. Hymen facts and conceptions. The Health 2012; 3 [4]: 109-115. Available from here 

 

Related:

Women benefit more from exercise than men, study finds

12 Common health concerns in African over age 40

Best exercise for healthy ageing in Africans [Tips]

12 Top African women's issues and how to take action 

Menstrual health issues in Sub-Saharan Africa; An Overview

Infertility in African women: All you need to know

 

Published: December 15, 2024

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