Why are Female Athletes More Susceptible to ACL Injuries?
Estrogen is believed to be involved in ligament laxity (lack of strictness), as it has been reported that ACL injuries occur most frequently during the ovulatory phase when estradiol (hormone estrogen) levels are highest.
Also, anatomical differences in females are involved such as the ratios of hip width to femoral length for which females have a higher ratio of. In addition, the angle between the line of the quadriceps force and the patellar ligament, females have a slight greater angle.
Now returning back to ligament laxity, females have an increased laxity in the joint, so it takes longer to sense knee joint motion while extending the knee. Most importantly, females take longer in generation of maximum hamstring force; this force supports the ACL. Core stability also contributes to the protection of the ACL, the ACL relies on the core; such as the abdomen, hip musculature, and back extensor. Males have a much stronger core compared to females.
Works Cited: Dempsey, Lauran Joy, "Linking of Injury: A Case Study of a Division I Soccer Player" (2003). University of Tennessee Honors Thesis Projects. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_chanhonoproj/640
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