Sex Related Differences in Sports Injuries
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injuries
This injury is commonly sustained playing soccer. The female athlete carries a four to six times increased risk compared to male athletes which is partially due to landing patterns. The female athlete is more likely to exhibit valgus (out turned knee) collapse and increased abduction movements of the knee (Matzkin, 2019).
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PPS)
This specific injury is a result of running and not specifically associated with one particular sport. The pain is located on the anterior portion of the knee. The chance of this occurring is higher in females, specifically young females who regularly participate in running and jumping activities (Matzkin, 2019).
Shoulder Instability
Females should have higher rates of instability than males due to the combination of the females’ increased shoulder range of motion and greater prevalence of generalized ligamentous laxity (overall flexibility) (Matzkin, 2019).
Despite the prior examples, men are actually three times more likely to sustain a sports related injury than females.
Why is that?
Factors such a shoulder instability, musculoskeletal differences, and time spent participating in physical activity all effect an individual's likelihood to receive a sports related injury. Also, men are more likely to report an injury as being caused by a 'sport' compared to a female (Matzkin, 2019; Schneider, 2006).