Can Female Soccer Players Avoid Knee Injuries?

Research shows that the number of damaging knee injuries among female soccer players has increased at an alarming rate.   "Women injure their knees, especially their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), six to nine times more than men," says Kaare Kolstad, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Methodist Hospital in Houston.   "Most female soccer players tear their ACL when they stop abruptly or land awkwardly after jumping.   It is typically a noncontact injury."

According to Kolstad, as female athletes mature physically, growth in height and muscular changes cause them to have less control of their knee joints.   This is why women tend to change direction and land from jumping with their knees straight and inward predisposing them to ligament and cartilage tears.

One way to combat this problem is to strengthen the core muscles (back, abdominal, and hip) and to teach them proper jumping technique.   "If you don't have a strong core, repetitive movements like jumping or changing direction can have a negative affect on the knee and could eventually cause a serious injury," Kolstad said.   "Sit-ups, push-ups, mild weight training such as leg presses, especially for children ages 13 to 16, will go a long way toward strengthening these muscles." Kolstad notes that stretching before, during, and after practice and games, and even when you are not practicing, will also help prevent these types of knee injuries.   "These problems need to be taken seriously because they might predispose them to more serious knee problems as the child gets older," Kolstad says.   "This is why it is important to strengthen the core muscles, and work on jumping and cutting with the knees bent.   Taking the time to train properly just might give a female soccer player a better chance at playing the entire season without any knee problems."

The APC staff specialize in teaching and training core strengthening and proper jump technique.  If you or your team would like to learn these training techniques, please contact us at (919) 876-1100 or sportskills@raleighortho.com.