Scientists claim to have proved that women in sport play through harsher pain thresholds than men and pick up the same injuries, but struggle through.
Experts believe the discrepancy is down to psychological differences in the way the genders process pain, with women toughening up to "prove'' they can play the game.
Researchers at the University of the West of England interviewed players from the England women's team, an FA Centre of Excellence, a college team and a football academy team.
John Bird, who led the study, said: "I found that girl and women players often minimise pain and injury when they talk about injuries they have had."
He added that "because the game is associated with masculinity, women often feel they have to prove themselves, by for example being more tolerant of pain than the men".
source -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/8281565/Women-footballers-are-tougher-than-men-research-finds.html
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