Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and now days more and more young athletes are playing on a competitive level.1 With the increased interest in soccer, ACL injuries have seemed much more prevalent, especially in young female athletes. In fact, female athletes are eight times more likely than male athletes to tear their ACL.3
A new study was published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery stating that men and women activate different hip and leg muscles to kick a soccer ball. Dr. Brophy, conducted the study using 13 male and 12 female college soccer players.1
Data from the study showed that while kicking a soccer ball, males use their hip flexors to kick and hip abductors in their supporting leg more than females, which may be the reason female players are more likely to tear their ACL.2
Although, we do not know if the difference in muscle activation between males and females causes females to tear their ACL more often, it helps us better understand what might be contributing and what steps we might need to take to prevent more tears.2
References
1American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “‘You Kick Like a Girl’: Men and Women Use Different Leg and Hip Muscles During Soccer Kick.” ScienceDaily 2 September 2010. 6 October 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901145252.htm>.
2Robert H. Brophy, Sherry Backus, Andrew P. Kraszewski, Barbara C. Steele, Yan Ma, Daniel Osei, and Riley J. Williams. Differences Between Sexes in Lower Extremity Alignment and Muscle Activation During Soccer Kick. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2010; 92: 2050-2058 DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.I.01547
3“Chargers Physician helps Soccer Player Recover From Knee Injury.” Del Mar Times. 15 Septe,ber 2010.<http://www.delmartimes.net/printer/article.asp?c=274206>
