Recent research has shown that women who participate in jumping and pivoting sports, such as basketball, volleyball and soccer are eight times more likely to rupture a knee-stabilizing ligament than men. The reason women are more likely to injure the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may be due to weakness in the muscles surrounding the knee. The cruciate ligament located toward the front of the knee is the ACL. Athletes can injure or rupture it by pivoting or changing direction rapidly, landing from a jump or slowing down from running. Researchers from the University of Michigan, looked at the ability of knee muscles to keep the joint stable in men and women who were of comparable size and weight. They compared 24 college athletes, 12 women and 12 men, who were competing in sports with a high risk of ACL injury to 28 other athletes, 14 women and 14 men, who were active in sports that carry a low risk of such injuries. The researchers tested the ability of muscles to protect the knee by using a device that held the upper leg in place, but twisted the lower leg. Women who played high-risk sports did the worst on this test. The researchers found that women who participated in jumping and pivoting sports had knee muscles that were weaker not only than those of men who played the same sports but also than knee muscles of women who participated in other sports, such as bicycling and running. The results show that training for women who participate in sports that carry a higher risk of this type of knee injury may not be adequate and that training may need to be different for women and men. They suggested that improving active muscle protection of the knee during training and rehabilitation might help to decrease rates of knee injury.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, May 2003; Vol. 85