Empowering Female Athletes: A Tailored Program for Unique Sports Challenges

One reason women might face more injuries is their body structure. After puberty, a woman’s hips widen. This change can affect how the legs work together and increase stress on the knees.

This added stress can lead to injuries, such as ACL tears. The ACL is a tough band of tissue that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone at the knee. When too much stress is applied—especially during sports that involve jumping and quick movements like soccer and basketball—the ACL can tear.

Statistics show that women and girls are two to eight times more likely to injure their ACL than men in the same sport. This risk seems to grow after puberty, potentially due to hormone changes. Fluctuations in estrogen during the menstrual cycle may make women more prone to these injuries at certain times.

Another factor is that female athletes tend to have stronger quadriceps than hamstrings. If the hamstrings, which are on the back of the thigh, aren’t as strong, the knee might not be as well protected. This is especially risky during twisting movements or when sudden force is applied.

Additionally, the way women land from jumps can increase injury risk. Many women have a “stiff landing” style, where they don’t bend their knees and hips enough. This landing style puts more stress directly on the knees and the ACL, which is less safe. Ideally, a soft landing with knee and hip bending helps absorb the impact more effectively.

Women are also more likely to suffer from stress fractures and concussions compared to men in the same sports. For example, girls in soccer and basketball often experience more concussions than boys. However, boys tend to have higher overall concussion rates primarily because of football participation. Researchers are still trying to figure out why these differences exist.