Latest news with #Esmee
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Dutch girl footballers tackle crippling knee injuries
Girls are more likely to suffer injuries from football. Image: Adobe Stock FIFTEEN-year-old Esmee Stuut sprints between cones on a football pitch in the Netherlands, her every movement captured on camera as part of a study into a crippling knee injury that affects girls more than boys. Cruciate ligament injuries can rule out a footballer for several months and teenage girls are especially at risk -- for physical and mental reasons. The study Esmee, a youth striker at FC Groningen in the north of the country, is taking part in aims to improve the movement of female teenage footballers like her. "A lot of girls of my age have had it. I'm happy to be able to do my bit to help out," the young player said, breathless from the sprinting exercise. The Netherlands is a hotbed for women's football, with the national team crowned European Champions in 2017 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2019. The small country has 175,000 women club members, with the figure constantly rising. France, for example, has just over 250,000 for a much bigger population. "Girls are between four to eight times more likely to get injured than boys at puberty," said Anne Benjaminse, a professor at Groningen University. "The difference starts at around 12," the sports science specialist said. 'Just bad luck' And the problem is not just physical -- Benjaminse is also looking into the mental health aspect which she believes plays a major role. Girls mature at different times to boys, ligaments are more fragile during periods. Add to this stress, mood, and fatigue and you get a potent cocktail that results in injury. "Divorce, death, moving around, but also a bad grade at school, an argument. These are small things to us but are big problems for them" that can contribute to physical injury, Benjaminse said. Her study, run in co-ordination with European football's governing body UEFA and the Dutch Football Association, looks at girls and young women aged between 12 and 21. In addition to examining physical movement, participants fill out a form detailing their moods over the previous week, enabling researchers to make a link to mental health. The aim is that mental health and movement become a "standard element" in clubs' training methods at the same level as gym work and nutrition, she said. "This should no longer be called into question. Girls should be able to speak out if they don't feel right and coaches should take it into account," the 44-year-old said. Back on the pitch, Esmee Stuut performs shuttle runs with rapid changes of direction, with and without the ball, then takes on a defender who appears suddenly. Henderika Kingma, 28, manager of the FC Groningen women's team and Esmee's coach, says two of her players suffered cruciate ligament injuries right at the end of the season. "We have to do everything we can to prevent this injury happening to our young players," said Kingma. "Thanks to this study, I know that my girls have become aware" of the issue, she added. Despite the study and raising awareness of the problem, sports scientist Benjaminse is also philosophical about the injury. "Sometimes it's just bad luck."
France 24
2 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Dutch girl footballers tackle crippling knee injuries
Cruciate ligament injuries can rule out a footballer for several months and teenage girls are especially at risk -- for physical and mental reasons. The study Esmee, a youth striker at FC Groningen in the north of the country, is taking part in aims to improve the movement of female teenage footballers like her. "A lot of girls of my age have had it. I'm happy to be able to do my bit to help out," the young player told AFP, breathless from the sprinting exercise. The Netherlands is a hotbed for women's football, with the national team crowned European Champions in 2017 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2019. The small country has 175,000 women club members, with the figure constantly rising. France, for example, has just over 250,000 for a much bigger population. "Girls are between four to eight times more likely to get injured than boys at puberty," said Anne Benjaminse, a professor at Groningen University. "The difference starts at around 12," the sports science specialist told AFP. 'Just bad luck' And the problem is not just physical -- Benjaminse is also looking into the mental health aspect which she believes plays a major role. Girls mature at different times to boys, ligaments are more fragile during periods. Add to this stress, mood, and fatigue and you get a potent cocktail that results in injury. "Divorce, death, moving around, but also a bad grade at school, an argument. These are small things to us but are big problems for them" that can contribute to physical injury, Benjaminse told AFP. Her study, run in co-ordination with European football's governing body UEFA and the Dutch Football Association, looks at girls and young women aged between 12 and 21. In addition to examining physical movement, participants fill out a form detailing their moods over the previous week, enabling researchers to make a link to mental health. The aim is that mental health and movement become a "standard element" in clubs' training methods at the same level as gym work and nutrition, she said. "This should no longer be called into question. Girls should be able to speak out if they don't feel right and coaches should take it into account," the 44-year-old said. Back on the pitch, Esmee Stuut performs shuttle runs with rapid changes of direction, with and without the ball, then takes on a defender who appears suddenly. Henderika Kingma, 28, manager of the FC Groningen women's team and Esmee's coach, says two of her players suffered cruciate ligament injuries right at the end of the season. "We have to do everything we can to prevent this injury happening to our young players," Kingma told AFP. "Thanks to this study, I know that my girls have become aware" of the issue, she added. Despite the study and raising awareness of the problem, sports scientist Benjaminse is also philosophical about the injury. "Sometimes it's just bad luck."
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Dutch girl footballers tackle crippling knee injuries
Cruciate ligament injuries can rule out a footballer for several months and teenage girls are especially at risk. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY AMSTERDAM – Esmee Stuut, 15, sprints between cones on a football pitch in the Netherlands, her every movement captured on camera as part of a study into a crippling knee injury that affects girls more than boys. Cruciate ligament injuries can rule out a footballer for several months and teenage girls are especially at risk – for physical and mental reasons. The study Esmee, a youth striker at FC Groningen in the north of the country, is taking part in aims to improve the movement of female teenage footballers like her. 'A lot of girls of my age have had it. I'm happy to be able to do my bit to help out,' the young player told AFP, breathless from the sprinting exercise. The Netherlands is a hotbed for women's football, with the national team crowned European Champions in 2017 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2019. The small country has 175,000 women club members, with the figure constantly rising. France, for example, has just over 250,000 for a much bigger population. 'Girls are between four to eight times more likely to get injured than boys at puberty,' said Anne Benjaminse, a professor and sports science specialist at Groningen University. 'The difference starts at around 12.' And the problem is not just physical – Benjaminse is also looking into the mental health aspect which she believes plays a major role. Girls mature at different times to boys, ligaments are more fragile during periods. Add to this stress, mood, and fatigue and you get a potent cocktail that results in injury. 'Divorce, death, moving around, but also a bad grade at school, an argument. These are small things to us but are big problems for them that can contribute to physical injury,' Benjaminse told AFP. Her study, run in co-ordination with European football's governing body Uefa and the Dutch Football Association, looks at girls and young women aged between 12 and 21. In addition to examining physical movement, participants fill out a form detailing their moods over the previous week, enabling researchers to make a link to mental health. The aim is that mental health and movement become a 'standard element' in clubs' training methods at the same level as gym work and nutrition, she said. 'This should no longer be called into question. Girls should be able to speak out if they don't feel right and coaches should take it into account,' the 44-year-old said. Back on the pitch, Esmee erforms shuttle runs with rapid changes of direction, with and without the ball, then takes on a defender who appears suddenly. Henderika Kingma, 28, manager of the FC Groningen women's team and Esmee's coach, says two of her players suffered cruciate ligament injuries right at the end of the season. 'We have to do everything we can to prevent this injury happening to our young players,' Kingma told AFP. 'Thanks to this study, I know that my girls have become aware of the issue.' Despite the study and raising awareness of the problem, Benjaminse is also philosophical about the injury. 'Sometimes it's just bad luck.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dutch girl footballers tackle crippling knee injuries
The Netherlands is a hotbed for women's football, with the national team crowned European Champions in 2017 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2019 (Sem van der Wal) Fifteen-year-old Esmee Stuut sprints between cones on a football pitch in the Netherlands, her every movement captured on camera as part of a study into a crippling knee injury that affects girls more than boys. Cruciate ligament injuries can rule out a footballer for several months and teenage girls are especially at risk -- for physical and mental reasons. Advertisement The study Esmee, a youth striker at FC Groningen in the north of the country, is taking part in aims to improve the movement of female teenage footballers like her. "A lot of girls of my age have had it. I'm happy to be able to do my bit to help out," the young player told AFP, breathless from the sprinting exercise. The Netherlands is a hotbed for women's football, with the national team crowned European Champions in 2017 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2019. The small country has 175,000 women club members, with the figure constantly rising. France, for example, has just over 250,000 for a much bigger population. Advertisement "Girls are between four to eight times more likely to get injured than boys at puberty," said Anne Benjaminse, a professor at Groningen University. "The difference starts at around 12," the sports science specialist told AFP. - 'Just bad luck' - And the problem is not just physical -- Benjaminse is also looking into the mental health aspect which she believes plays a major role. Girls mature at different times to boys, ligaments are more fragile during periods. Add to this stress, mood, and fatigue and you get a potent cocktail that results in injury. "Divorce, death, moving around, but also a bad grade at school, an argument. These are small things to us but are big problems for them" that can contribute to physical injury, Benjaminse told AFP. Advertisement Her study, run in co-ordination with European football's governing body UEFA and the Dutch Football Association, looks at girls and young women aged between 12 and 21. In addition to examining physical movement, participants fill out a form detailing their moods over the previous week, enabling researchers to make a link to mental health. The aim is that mental health and movement become a "standard element" in clubs' training methods at the same level as gym work and nutrition, she said. "This should no longer be called into question. Girls should be able to speak out if they don't feel right and coaches should take it into account," the 44-year-old said. Advertisement Back on the pitch, Esmee Stuut performs shuttle runs with rapid changes of direction, with and without the ball, then takes on a defender who appears suddenly. Henderika Kingma, 28, manager of the FC Groningen women's team and Esmee's coach, says two of her players suffered cruciate ligament injuries right at the end of the season. "We have to do everything we can to prevent this injury happening to our young players," Kingma told AFP. "Thanks to this study, I know that my girls have become aware" of the issue, she added. Despite the study and raising awareness of the problem, sports scientist Benjaminse is also philosophical about the injury. "Sometimes it's just bad luck." cvo/ric/phz
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Young dog trainer and border collie from North Yorkshire prepare for Crufts
A seven-year-old girl from North Yorkshire has said she is "really excited" to compete with her border collie at a world-famous dog and her dog Rainbow, from the village of Cawood, will take part in the agility competition at Crufts on pair won their heat in what was their first ever competition to qualify for the final.A Crufts spokesperson said Esmee would be one of the youngster competitors at this year's event. The agility competition at Crufts tests a dog's fitness and its handler's ability to train and direct their pet over and through certain compete, the dog must be at least 18 months old, while its trainer must be aged at least six. Esmee said Rainbow was still "wild" and admitted: "Sometimes he can be bad with his weaves and his jumps", two areas which will be tested on mum, Ellie-Mai, said she had "absolutely no expectation" of her daughter and Rainbow in their admitted she was "an emotional wreck" when the pair "absolutely smashed it".Ellie-Mai said Rainbow, whose favourite toy is a tennis ball, needed mental stimulation as well as physical exercise."He could run around a field all day but he still wouldn't be tired because he's not had to use his brain, whereas getting him to do things like tricks and agility exhaust him."Ahead of her appearance at the NEC in Birmingham, where thousands will be in attendance along with millions more watching at home, Esmee said she was "very excited but a bit nervous".The youngster said her aim was to "try not to get eliminated". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
