Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

emale athletes participating in cutting or jumping sports are 4 to 6 times more likely to experience a serious knee injury than are their male counterparts (1). The mechanism of injury is usually noncontact and occurs when the athlete is making a sudden stop, making sharp cuts, or landing and pivoting. But why are women more susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears? Three theories explain why women sustain more injuries: hormonal, anatomical, and neuromuscular. First, female sex hormones increase ligamentous laxity, potentially affecting joint stability. Controversy exists on whether this joint laxity increases the incidence of injury. Second, anatomical considerations include lower tensile strength of the ligament, a narrower femoral notch, and pelvic and lower-extremity malalignments. These anatomical and hormonal factors are unavoidable. However, the third and final theory regarding neuromuscular control can be addressed in a proper strength and conditioning program. Plyometric Training Considerations to Reduce Knee Injuries