Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Why do girls leave sports earlier than boys — and what can we do to change that? Laura Crower, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist and certified strength & conditioning specialist at MyMichigan Health, talks about the challenges facing female athletes. From cultural pressures and language in sports to injury prevention, body image, and confidence, this conversation explores how to better support girls in athletics.

00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – Meet Laura Crower & Today’s Topic
01:25 – Cultural & Societal Barriers for Female Athletes
03:05 – Language, Labels, and Gender Stereotypes in Sports
04:25 – Challenges Facing Adolescent Female Athletes
05:55 – Creating Safe, Inclusive, and Fun Sports Environments
07:10 – Common Injuries in Female Athletes
09:05 – Injury Prevention, Prehab & Neuromuscular Control
10:25 – Body Image, Confidence & Empowering Language
11:45 – Tailoring Rehab & Return-to-Sport Programs for Girls
12:40 – Final Takeaways & Resources

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