Although everyone—young, old, professional athlete, or weekend warrior—is susceptible to sports-related or orthopedic injuries, studies show that women have an increased risk of orthopedic conditions and injuries compared to men. For example, female soccer players have a 2–10 fold higher incidence of ACL injuries than their male counterparts. However, these statistics should not discourage anyone, and the sex of a person is only one facet his or her health profile.
Physiological differences in women that could be a contributing factor
- Hormones
- Anatomical structure, especially in the knee joint
- Imbalance in strength ratio between muscle groups
- Susceptibility to osteoporosis (as women age)
- Training and conditioning that is not tailored to the body’s needs
Orthopedic injuries and problems commonly seen in females
- ACL injury
- Stress fracture
- Ankle sprains
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis)
- Tennis elbow
- Osteoporosis
Preventive measures women can take
- Activity specific training and conditioning
- Use proper footwear
- Work with a trainer to evaluate form
- Keep bones strong
