ABSTRACT
Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, encompassing elements of biological growth and major social role transitions. It is a period whereby young people begin to define who they are through the goals, values, and beliefs that they find personally expressive and to which they commit. In this chapter, the mediating role that sport and exercise can play in the development of adolescent females’ self-identity is explored. Consideration is given to some of the key challenges faced by adolescent female high-performance athletes, such as identity foreclosure, injury, and mental health disorders, and recommendations for practice are offered. Some of the barriers for adolescent females’ participation in sport and exercise are also explored, and recommendations are suggested to encourage continued involvement in physical activity.
