Women face gender-related sports medicine injuries such as stress fractures, osteoporosis, pregnancy and postpartum issues. And young females tear their ACL 8 times more often than males of the same age. As women participate more in sports, the problem has bordered on epidemic. This often-sold out book outlines prevention, training and treating methods designed specifically to suit female athletes.

This book separates the women from the boys and outlines how you prevent injuries in female athlete.

Guess what? Women are not built the same as men. Not a eureka by any stretch. But there are simply few books that focus on the female body specifically as it relates to injuries and injury prevention. Since women are obviously built differently the approach should also be different. So many guides don’t take into account the differences in women and men when designing training programs. Some, not all, coaches are motivated to win than to help protect female athletes.

Packed with information which is easy to find

Not only is it packed with valuable and practical information, they’ve made it an easy reference. I love an organized reference book. It’s not too technical and includes definitions and laymen’s terms. So a normal mom can read this without a medical degree.

Where to buy 'The Female Athlete's Body Book : How to Prevent and Treat Sports Injuries in Women and Girls' by Gloria Beim and Ruth Winter

This is a must for any female athlete who wants to protect her body from irreparable damage and perform at her best. In particular, pay attention to the ACL injury prevention because of the frequency of this injury to female athletes. That chapter alone is worth thrice the asking price.

Oddly enough, this book was written in 2003 and there have not been any copycats to speak of. You'd think, given the number of females participating in sports, that there would be more definitive guides out there. Despite the fact this book has been around a while, the information is still valid.

Helps you do it right and points out that which you’ve been doing wrong

It could be that stretch or weight training regimen is putting you or your daughter at risk instead of protecting. You find out common exercises that are status quo but should be avoided.

The author is an female orthopedic surgeon and accomplished athlete.

Rarely do you find a guide that includes both of these criteria. Not only that, the author is well versed in training programs since she is the orthopedic surgoen for the U.S. National Track Cycling Team.

While many women who have injuries move on to become top athletes, many become has beens by 18. The emphasis is to train smarter and make sure the training regimens being followed help with injury prevention as well as athletic performance.

It won’t cover every last injury on the planet and since it is a guide, it doesn’t act in place of a doctor. It doesn't cover every last sport. But it's a great general guide with some specific instructions.

If you are already an elite female athlete and familiar with the injuries of your sport, this may or may not be helpful. But this really is a must read if you are the parent of a female athlete or an active, female yourself.