What Sports Are Women Better At? (Listed & Explained!)

Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by Alex PT

Sports that women are better at includes volleyball, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, softball, and cross country. Gone are those days when women don’t really have an interest in sports. In today’s world, women nearly participate in every single sport. Some women even get high pay as professional athletes. 

Sports That Women Are Better At

After extensive research, we’ve compiled a list of the sports that women are better at. All the sports in this article have a large number of female participants and are played worldwide. 

Volleyball

The game of volleyball is one of the most popular team sports played worldwide by women. But that’s not to say that men don’t play the sport too. It is equally played across the world by both men and women. Considering its gameplay and playing rules, we can all agree that the sport is ideal for women. Volleyball games are played by two teams separated by a long and high net. These two teams have six players each and the objective of the game is to score more points than your opponent by grounding the ball on the opposition’s team side of the court. Volleyball requires you to be physically fit and it’s a great sport for body exercise. Since it also requires great flexibility, more women are finding the sport really interesting. By the way, the game is played both outdoors and indoor, and it’s regarded as one of the most famous Olympic Games events.  

Badminton

Who does know the game of badminton? It is a very famous game in the world of sports. This game has its origins in China and it’s loved and cherished by a lot of people across the world today. Badminton is generally a racquet sport that is played by women and men. Just like volleyball, you can play the game as an outdoor or indoor sport. Generally, women love the sport because of the simplicity of the playing rules and gameplay. Badminton has its modern form developed and modified in the 19^th century even though it has a very old history in the world of sports. The game has different variations. It can be played among a team of two different players and among two single players, which makes it more enjoyable and thrilling. 

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is one is the most famous sports among women. Definitely, this list won’t be complete without adding the sport known to commonly participate among women in the world today. Some people consider gymnastics to be one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Nonetheless, the game is an interesting, thrilling, and enjoyable sport. Looking for the right sport for women to play? Then gymnastics should be an ideal choice. Truthfully, a large part of women in the world participates in this incredible sport.  That’s because it blends flexibility, strength, agility, balance, coordination, and endurance with other physical exercises. 

Swimming

We can say that almost everybody in the world of sports loves swimming at some point. Footballers and other athletes swim during their off-hours because it helps relax muscles and relieve stress and pain in the muscle. Swimming as a sport is one of the most popular events in the Olympics Games. By the way, we are not saying swimming is only for women. It is a great sport played by men and women all over the world. If you’re a good follower of the Olympic Games, you’ll notice great female swimmers participating in swimming. Flexibility, stamina, and energy are required to become a successful swimmer. 

Tennis

If we’re talking about the highest paying sports in the world for women, then Tennis shouldn’t be undermined. Tennis is known to be a very popular sport played by both men and women with millions of fans across the planet. Some professional female tennis players earn high wages and salaries from the biggest sports sponsor brands. We’ll advise every young Sportsgirl in search of a profitable sport to consider practicing tennis. 

Softball

As a woman who doesn’t want a sport that’s in constant motion, then a softball game can be a wise choice. It is less demanding and less strenuous. Nonetheless, softball requires coordination of the eye and hand. That’s not all. Besides, you’ll only need to have a bat, softball, and gloves to participate in the game. 

Cross Country

This game involves running over different kinds of terrains which might be indoor or outdoor. Also, it involves either competing with a team or alone with running shoes only the major gear required to participate in the sport. Cross Country requires you to have tenacity, strength, flexibility, endurance, energy, and stamina. 

Fencing

Fencing is divided into two, there is women’s fencing and men’s fencing. Women do a lot of fencing as an Olympic game. It has been there since 1924. The weapon used in the game back then was foil. There are so many female champions in this game around the world. A sword-like weapon is used, it isn’t sharp at any edge. You put on protective gear, you have to clash with each other’s weapons until one of you can make an impact on your opponent’s body. You just have to make sure your weapon touches the opponent, no hard impact is needed. 

Archery

Firstly, the game is played by both men and women. A female archer is called an Archeress. Most people don’t know, but it is what they are called nowadays. In the 1890s, Archery was the only sport that allowed women to join their tournaments. Most of the sports back then didn’t allow women to play in any of the tournaments. Well, in 1890, women were given the chance to play archery in the Olympics after a movement. Archery was the only sport in the Olympics that allowed women to wear dresses while playing.

Netball

Netball is played by seven players on each side of a team. The idea of netball came from basketball back in the early days. It was created so women could play a version of basketball. The game was first created back in the 19^th century, it was an English game until it became very popular, and different women across the globe started playing this game, and now it is loved by most of them. 

Just like every sport we know, the game has a federation governing it. The federation is known as the International Netball Federation. It has a total membership of 70 countries, 100 countries in this world play Netball professionally. The Commonwealth countries are known to like it a lot.

Physical and Mental Attributes of Women for Sports

Women possess a wide range of physical and mental attributes that make them excel in various sports. These attributes are often influenced by genetics, training, and social factors. Here’s an overview:

Physical Attributes:

1. Flexibility: Women often have greater flexibility due to their joint structure, which is beneficial in sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and dance.
2. Endurance: Women may have a higher percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which enhance endurance. This is advantageous in long-distance running, swimming, and cycling.
3. Balance and Coordination: Women generally exhibit superior balance and coordination, which is essential in sports such as gymnastics, diving, and rhythmic gymnastics.
4. Body Fat Percentage: Women naturally have a slightly higher body fat percentage, which can provide buoyancy in water sports like swimming.
5. Biomechanics: Differences in hip structure can influence movement patterns, potentially giving women an edge in certain sports.

Mental Attributes:

1. Focus and Concentration: Women often excel in sports that require intense concentration, like archery or shooting, where precision is crucial.
2. Resilience: Women can exhibit remarkable mental resilience and the ability to endure pain, which is beneficial in endurance events like ultra-marathons.
3. Tactical Thinking: In team sports like soccer and basketball, women are known for their tactical thinking, adaptability, and ability to strategize effectively.
4. Teamwork and Communication: Women tend to excel in team sports due to their strong communication skills and the ability to work cohesively with teammates.
5. Emotional Intelligence: Women often have a high degree of emotional intelligence, aiding in sports that require empathy and understanding, such as coaching.
6. Mental Toughness: In sports like martial arts and combat sports, women have demonstrated exceptional mental toughness, resilience, and determination.

Common Differences in Women and Men’s Sports

There are several common differences in women’s and men’s sports, which can be attributed to biological, cultural, and historical factors. These distinctions impact various aspects of sports, including opportunities, rules, and the overall landscape:

1. Physical Differences:
   • Strength: Men, on average, have greater muscle mass and physical strength, leading to differences in performance. This often results in separate men’s and women’s divisions.
   • Speed: Men typically exhibit greater speed and power, influencing sports like sprinting and throwing.
   • Endurance: Women often excel in endurance events due to their higher percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers, benefiting sports like ultra-marathons.
2. Rules and Regulations:
   • Game Duration: Some women’s sports may have shorter game durations, as studies suggest that women may experience a higher risk of injuries during extended play.
   • Equipment: In certain sports like golf and tennis, equipment specifications may vary to accommodate potential differences in physical strength and power.
3. Opportunities and Support:
   • Resource Allocation: Historically, men’s sports received more investment and resources, impacting opportunities for women. This gap is closing with increased support for women’s sports.
   • Sponsorship and Pay: Gender disparities in sponsorship deals and pay are common, though efforts are underway to address these issues, especially in professional sports.
4. Cultural Perceptions:
   • Perceptions of Femininity: Cultural norms have at times associated certain sports with masculinity, affecting women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated sports like football.
   • Expectations: Expectations about physicality and toughness can influence which sports are encouraged for each gender.
5. Participation and Representation:
   • Access: In some regions, women may have limited access to sports facilities and programs, reducing participation rates.
   • Representation: Media coverage and visibility of women’s sports have historically been less prominent, affecting public awareness and support.
6. Protective Measures:
   • Injury Prevention: Some sports may emphasize injury prevention measures for women, acknowledging potential differences in injury patterns.
7. Age and Hormonal Factors:
   • Puberty and Hormonal Changes: During puberty, hormonal changes can affect physical development, influencing performance in sports that require specific body types.
8. Team Dynamics and Strategy:
   • Teamwork vs. Individuality: Team sports may emphasize different strategies, with women often focusing on teamwork and communication while men may emphasize individual performance.
9. Uniforms and Equipment:
   • Design: In certain sports, uniform design and equipment may differ to ensure comfort and functionality.
10. Social Acceptance and Stereotypes:
    • Stigma: Stereotypes about women’s abilities in traditionally male-dominated sports have led to societal stigmas, influencing participation and support.

FAQs

What Sport Are Females better than males?

Long-distance swimming still remains the only sport that women have proven to be better than men. 

What Is The Most Common Female Sport?

With about 488,267 participants, it is ideal to say that track and field is the most common female sport in the world. In the United States alone, about 16 states have their women participating in the sport. Volleyball, on the other hand, is the most played sport by women in the United States. About 21 states have their women and girls play volleyball. 

Final Word 

Women in today’s world love participating in sports just like men. Don’t forget that some of these sport helps participants to develop essential life skills like discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, unity, and emotional control. So, it will be advisable to involve your girl child in sports today.  We’ve reached the closing chapter of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good and reliable resources in your quest to know the sports that women are better at. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks!

References:

https://allthingslists.com/sports-that-women-beat-men/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/annanorth/7-sports-in-which-women-have-beaten-men