High-Risk Health Behaviors in Female Athletes versus Non-Athletes

The high school and college years have been found to be critical time periods for the mental and physical development of females. Past research has suggested that as females mature, it is common for them to experience peer pressure or personally choose to participate in high-risk health behaviors. Sport participation has been cited as one reason why high school and college-aged females may participate in fewer high-risk health behaviors, such as binge drinking, tobacco and marijuana use, sexual activity and physical inactivity. One reason may be due to increased self-esteem and social connectedness associated with sport participation. For example, Armstrong and Oomen-Early (2009) found that females who play sports have higher self-worth and engage in more positive social networks than do non-athletes. Social connectedness may increase female athletes' positive social self-esteem, which may lead their participating in fewer high-risk health behaviors.

Even with all the documented positive health outcomes from sport, many females still choose to not participate in sport or quit before reaching adolescence. Reasons may include lack of available programs within schools and communities, lack of enjoyment, lack of female role models, mentors or coaches, and gender stereotypes.

This study will examine the influence of interscholastic sport and intercollegiate athletics on young females' participation in high-risk health behaviors. This study extends the research through a comprehensive review of the literature about interscholastic and intercollegiate female athletes and their participation in high-risk health behaviors. It is hypothesized that this review will affirm that interscholastic sport and intercollegiate athletic participation increases females' self-esteem and social connectedness, and decreases marijuana and tobacco use. It is also hypothesized that female sport participation will decrease high-risk sexual activity participation.