The differences in timing of the components of dynamic knee valgus between male and female patients could contribute to the increased risk of noncontact ACL injuries among female athletes, according to an article in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Hip, knee and ankle three-dimensional kinesmatics were measured among 10 female athletes and 10 male athletes at the collegiate level. The maximum hip adduction, knee valgus and ankle eversion occurred earlier in women than in men. Additionally, the maximum hip adduction and knee valgus occurred before knee flexion in women and after in men.
The study also reported the maximum ankle eversion occurred earlier in women than in men and there was a significant difference between the genres for angular velocity of knee valgus. This data suggests that men and women use a completely different kinematic strategy and that women land and collapse rapidly into valgus, compared to men.
Read the abstract about ACL injury.
Read other coverage on ACL injury:
- Study: Osteoarthritis Most Prevalent in Combined Injury ACL Replacements
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL
Hip, knee and ankle three-dimensional kinesmatics were measured among 10 female athletes and 10 male athletes at the collegiate level. The maximum hip adduction, knee valgus and ankle eversion occurred earlier in women than in men. Additionally, the maximum hip adduction and knee valgus occurred before knee flexion in women and after in men.
The study also reported the maximum ankle eversion occurred earlier in women than in men and there was a significant difference between the genres for angular velocity of knee valgus. This data suggests that men and women use a completely different kinematic strategy and that women land and collapse rapidly into valgus, compared to men.
Read the abstract about ACL injury.
Read other coverage on ACL injury:
- Study: Osteoarthritis Most Prevalent in Combined Injury ACL Replacements
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL