Q.Explain any three factors that limit the participation of women in sports in India, and suggest one strategy to address each.

Three of the handbook's named constraints on women's sports participation in India are Physical (heavier build, postural deformities), Physiological (lower haemoglobin/RBC, smaller heart and lung capacity, menstrual disorders), and Economic -- explicitly the most important hindering factor -- (lack of funds, sponsors, coaches and infrastructure). …

Factor 1: Physical Constraints

Women's participation is limited by physical factors such as a naturally heavier build in certain body regions, a pear-shaped body type, and a higher likelihood of postural deformities -- all of which can affect performance and confidence in competitive sport.

Strategy: Provide structured, sport-specific strength and conditioning programmes along with posture-correction guidance from a young age, so that physical limitations are identified early and worked on systematically rather than becoming a reason to drop out.

Factor 2: Physiological Constraints

Women, on average, have lower red blood cell and haemoglobin levels, a smaller heart and lung capacity, and a higher percentage of body fat than men, all of which can affect endurance and recovery. Menstrual disorders add a further physiological hurdle that male athletes do not face.

Strategy: Ensure access to regular health check-ups, iron- and nutrition-rich diet plans, and a sports gynaecologist or trained physician who can advise on training around menstrual health, so physiological differences are managed rather than left unaddressed.

Factor 3: Economic Constraints …