JiffyCoursesOnline Logo UpCourse Logo
UpCourse Tutorials Become a Jiffy Partner
I'd like you to shift gears and apply some critical thinking. This will help you not only understand the concepts we've discussed but also critically evaluate similar topics you might come across in the press, media, and other outlets—and, when it's relevant, apply this knowledge in real-world situations.

We've covered a lot of ground in this module, and I've shared quite a bit of information with you. Now, I'd like you to shift gears and apply some critical thinking. This will help you not only understand the concepts we've discussed but also critically evaluate similar topics you might come across in the press, media, and other outlets—and, when it's relevant, apply this knowledge in real-world situations.

Below, you'll find a selection of references. I encourage you to read the provided materials, and engage your critical thinking skills. Assess whether the information is credible and logical, or if perhaps it's too broadly generalized from studies conducted on different groups, such as other female age brackets or even men.

Then, expand the table below each reference to view my analysis and insights. This should help deepen your understanding of each reference and assist you in developing your own viewpoints.

Ultimately, I aim to equip you with the tools to critically assess any information you encounter, whether you see it, hear it, or read it. 

Enjoy

Critical Thinking Task 1

Link: Intensive sport, injury risk, and development in female athletes

Question: With the global rise of girls in participation and competition, and the reporting/recording of increased low energy availability, poor mental health and early burnout, this study aimed to investigate several sports and the impact high training intensity during growth periods may have on development.

Unfortunately, this study confirms the ongoing issue that diet culture is still a significant problem in girls and sport. With the perception of the need for heavy training loads combined with low-energy diets or eating disorders delay puberty, impair growth, and heighten injury susceptibility due to hormonal imbalances.

Critical Thinking Task 2

Link: Female athlete programs

Question: Does this program look like it should be just for elite athletes?

The Wu Tsai Female Athlete program is actually a national institute with Harvard, Stanford, UC San Diego, U of Oregon, with the goal of providing research and medicine insight and resources. Unfortunately, many do not realize that it is not for elite athletes only, but for all active girls and women. This site is the one from Boston Childrens’ Hospital at Harvard and has some great resources. The FASTR program at Stanford has more indepth resources and a greater reach.

Critical Thinking Task 3

Link: Latest recommendations for young athletes

Question: This is a pretty clinical document, and not very practical; so how would you implement a strategy to fuel your young athlete well, to both account for energy needs of growth and development as well as sport?

There is a plethora of websites around nutrition for young athletes. Don’t get too bogged down on the exacts; instead have food available and look for eating opportunities. Kids and teens often “forget” to eat, but by having nutritious foods they like handy (or even foods they may not know they like- color and presentation can mean the difference between eating fruit and veggies or not..) this encourages a wide variety of foods to lend to nutrition density and energy balance.