We are still learning about how injuries to the ligaments are different in women and men. One theory is that women have looser ligaments than men due to our different hormones. Women are clearly subject to different neuromuscular imbalances than men due to our wider hips and the more narrow position of our knees. Neuromuscular imbalance means that some of the weaker muscles are not being used in the way that they should be for optimal performance. Overall, the female body responds differently to exercise than the male body. Gender-specific training will likely decrease these injuries. ACL tear may occur due to many reasons such as a more narrow notch where the ACL passes through the upper thigh bone, higher estrogen levels, and neuromuscular imbalances. We cannot change the shape of our thigh bones or our hormones, but we can do something to correct these neuromuscular imbalances through physical assessment and exercise prescription. Stress fractures are more common in women from the hormonal influence of estrogen on bones. When we exercise too much, it is harder to make and store estrogen in fat cells. An imbalance in nutritional intake and activity output can play into not having enough estrogen. It is important to have this evaluated to get the most out of your exercise training.
We are still learning about how injuries to the ligaments are
different in women and men. One theory is that women have looser
ligaments than men due to our different hormones. Women are clearly
subject to different neuromuscular imbalances than men...
More
Dr. Michael Roizen answered:In the battle of the sexes, women win the ACL division in a walk. (Or a hobble, more aptly). Women are up to eight times more likely than men to tear their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL). The looser construction of the female knee-and overall weaker skeleton-can compromise stability and predispose women to ligament tears.
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Dr. Jennifer Baima of Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:We are still learning about how injuries to the ligaments are different in women and men. One theory is that women have looser ligaments than men due to our different hormones. Women are clearly subject to different neuromuscular imbalances than men due to our wider hips and the more narrow position of our knees. Neuromuscular imbalance means that some of the weaker muscles are not being used in the way that they should be for optimal performance. Overall, the female body responds differently to exercise than the male body. Gender-specific training will likely decrease these injuries. ACL tear may occur due to many reasons such as a more narrow notch where the ACL passes through the upper thigh bone, higher estrogen levels, and neuromuscular imbalances. We cannot change the shape of our thigh bones or our hormones, but we can do something to correct these neuromuscular imbalances through physical assessment and exercise prescription. Stress fractures are more common in women from the hormonal influence of estrogen on bones. When we exercise too much, it is harder to make and store estrogen in fat cells. An imbalance in nutritional intake and activity output can play into not having enough estrogen. It is important to have this evaluated to get the most out of your exercise training.We are still learning about how injuries to the ligaments are different in women and men. One theory is that women have looser ligaments than men due to our different hormones. Women are clearly subject to different neuromuscular imbalances than men... More