Milla Marc
Female football players face unique injury risks due to anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical differences compared to their male counterparts. These differences contribute to a higher incidence of certain injuries, including Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears, stress fractures, and muscle strains. Understanding these sex-specific risks is crucial for developing effective injury prevention strategies that optimize performance while ensuring player safety. One of the most significant risk factors for female football players is the increased susceptibility to ACL injuries. Research has consistently shown that female athletes are two to eight times more likely to suffer an ACL tear than males. This disparity is attributed to multiple factors, including differences in neuromuscular control, ligament laxity, pelvic structure, and landing mechanics. Women tend to have a wider pelvis, which alters lower limb alignment and increases knee valgus, a position associated with higher ACL strain. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can affect ligament properties, potentially increasing injury risk during certain phases. To mitigate ACL injuries, structured neuromuscular training programs that focus on strength, proprioception, and biomechanics have proven effective.
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Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies received 1022 citations as per Google Scholar report
