What was a significant belief held by male physicians regarding women in sports during the late 1800s?

During the late 1800s, a significant belief held by male physicians was that women should avoid competitive sports. This perspective was rooted in prevailing societal norms of the time, which often considered women as fragile and less capable of handling the physical and emotional stress associated with competitive athletics. Medical professionals at that time frequently promoted the idea that strenuous physical activity could harm women's health, leading to concerns about their reproductive abilities and overall feminine qualities.

Consequently, this viewpoint contributed to societal restrictions on female participation in sports, reinforcing gender roles that limited women's opportunities for physical expression and competition. The belief that women should refrain from engaging in competitive sports reflected broader cultural attitudes about gender and physicality during that historical period, emphasizing the idea that physical activity was not appropriate for women.