Women more likely to tear ACL due to 'knock knees'

Researchers say that women are nearly four times more likely to suffer from a tear to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee than men, but that it may be prevented by a different "landing strategy...

Women more likely to tear ACL due to 'knock knees'
Researchers say that women are nearly four times more likely to suffer from a tear to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee than men, but that it may be prevented by a different “landing strategy.”


The study, published in the Journal of Athletic Training, was conducted by researchers from Oregon State University (OSU), and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Greenboro.


ACL injuries are defined as a tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament inside the knee joint. The injury causes the knee to swell, and the joint becomes too painful to bear weight.


These injuries are very common in sports where the participants are required to do many “jump stops and cuts.” This includes basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.


Marc Norcross, assistant professor of exercise and sport science at the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at OSU, says:




More...