This is kind of interesting as the doctor I heard talking about it on that podcast I posted earlier on the thread, was talking about how The Matildas had recently had an expensive new training facility built but there was a disproportionate amount of focus on cardio training rather than strength building. But she cited how women (especially athletes) are criticised when their bodies are muscular as it's seen as unfeminine. Serena Williams came up against those kind of attitudes relentlessly during her career. These are the societal factors that are suggested as being at play.
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ACL injuries in the Women's game
- Thread starter JRockBlues
- Start date
This is kind of interesting as the doctor I heard talking about it on that podcast I posted earlier on the thread, was talking about how The Matildas had recently had an expensive new training facility built but there was a disproportionate amount of focus on cardio training rather than strength building. But she cited how women (especially athletes) are criticised when their bodies are muscular as it's seen as unfeminine. Serena Williams came up against those kind of attitudes relentlessly during her career. These are the societal factors that are suggested as being at play.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. When I was a much younger woman I did play a lot of sport including football so I do know a bit about the physicality of what we’re discussing from every view point. I think some proper research needs to be done about this now as it cannot be a coincidence. Some things put forward by posters do seem feasible as a contributory factor but it has to be worrying if those at the top have pushed the woman’s game so much in the last 15 years or so for them not to be interested why there are so many injuries.Not sure it'll be that, though it could contribute. If it was just that lots of male amateur players would be having the same problem!
Theres lots of talk of contributory factors, including the menstrual cycle (all I know is a link is mentioned, I've no idea how).
I think it could be more to do with wide hips/shorter legs than male counterparts, resulting in pressure to the knee coming at some strange angles.
It is very strange though - and very concerning considering how.many young girls are taking up the game these days.
Man United's Gabby George confirmed with an ACL tear today. Her second in three years. Really awful for her and increasingly worrying for anyone with an interest in women's football.
That's really sad for her. I'd kind of hoped that the surgery would build the knee up stronger and that the injury would be a one-off for players at the very worst, but it seems not. Research definitely needs to increase.
That's really sad for her. I'd kind of hoped that the surgery would build the knee up stronger and that the injury would be a one-off for players at the very worst, but it seems not. Research definitely needs to increase.
Think there's been enough research into it. A mans body is far more adept to the rigours of playing football. Stronger muscle, 50% higher bone density, unfortunately for women, as their game progresses, gets faster and more intense their bodies are just going to break down quicker. Bloody shame as women's football has become brilliant at times to watch.
Think there's been enough research into it. A mans body is far more adept to the rigours of playing football. Stronger muscle, 50% higher bone density, unfortunately for women, as their game progresses, gets faster and more intense their bodies are just going to break down quicker. Bloody shame as women's football has become brilliant at times to watch.
Disagree about there being enough. I don't think there's a 100% answer as yet, so experts should continue to investigate.
One article recently said women are six times more likely to get an ACL injury than men. To me it feels that is underplaying it, but if it's correct, should we just shrug our shoulders and accept it? If we can find a way to reduce that difference down to even 3 or 4 times more likely, than that would at least be an improvement.
Think there's been enough research into it. A mans body is far more adept to the rigours of playing football. Stronger muscle, 50% higher bone density, unfortunately for women, as their game progresses, gets faster and more intense their bodies are just going to break down quicker. Bloody shame as women's football has become brilliant at times to watch.
Think most experts on the matter seem to be of the opinion that there's a hell of a lot more research that still needs to be done and there is yet to be any firm consensus on the reasons as to why this keeps happening or what to extent biological and societal factors are playing a part.
Think most experts on the matter seem to be of the opinion that there's a hell of a lot more research that still needs to be done and there is yet to be any firm consensus on the reasons as to why this keeps happening or what to extent biological and societal factors are playing a part.
IIRC Jill Scott was on radio a few weeks ago and she thinks it’s because the jump from youth level to professional is too big.
In the men’s game the boys are practically full time footballers from 15/16, their lessons are scheduled around the football, they play or work out 2/3 hours a day so when they get to the first teams they’ve got a really solid base of years at that workload.
In the womens game it’s much less organised, less regimented and the jump from academy player to full time pro is much bigger which leaves their bodies illprepared.
But then you’d expect it to be young players who get those injuries and quite often it’s not.
The physiological differences only go so far because the same discrepancies aren’t seen in other sports to the same degree.
EliteOne
Active Member
My 17 year old daughter ruptured her ACL almost a year ago. It happened during a school practice. She just got cleared to start sports again but is understandably nervous about playing again. The doctor who did her surgery shared his opinion about why women are suffering more acl injuries and mentioned about how women's hips are wider and the angles of the bones are different. My daughter was devastated when she got injured. She had a dream of playing in college and finishing off her high school career on a high, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.