ABSTRACT
From a historical perspective, the venue of female athletic activities has its origins in the ancient Greek Olympics, from which women were banned in 1896. 1 In the 1900 Olympic Summer Games, women were allowed to participate but restricted to golf and lawn tennis. In 1912, women were allowed in the diving and swimming events. 2,3 With the advent of Title IX of the Educational Amendment Act of 1972 by the United States Congress, it was mandated that equal athletic participation occur for males and females who are attending any college or university that receives federal financial assistance. 4 As time has progressed, the number of girls at a high-school level who are currently participating in athletic endeavors is on the rise. 5
Participation in athletic endeavors for adolescent females is a positive and often a rewarding endeavor. The teen spirit, esprit de corps, and camaraderie speak volumes from the psychosocial aspect of female participation.
