ACL injury risk factors may differ for men, women: 3 study insights

Orthopedic

Risk factors for first-time anterior cruciate ligament injuries vary by gender, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

The researchers identified 109 high school and college athletes who experienced first-time ACL noncontact injuries. They analyzed variables — including demographic characteristics, joint laxity and personality attributes — to assess which traits were most predictive of ACL injury risk. The researchers hypothesized that different risk factors would predispose male and female athletes to first-time ACL injury.

 

Here's what you need to know:

 

1. The combined variables that predisposed male athletes to ACL injury included: increases in anterior-posterior knee laxity, posterior knee stiffness, navicular drop and a decrease in standing quadriceps angle.

 

2. The combined variables that predisposed female athletes to ACL injury included: having a parent who had suffered an ACL injury, increases in anterior-posterior knee laxity and body mass index.

 

3. Although both male and female risk models included increased anterior-posterior knee laxity, the researchers concluded that the male and female risk models were overall dissimilar.

 

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