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AquaDoctor t1_itkfo8g wrote

Reply to comment by spicemyrice in Do ligaments (ACL) build up to an injury or just suddenly fail? by Toast1185

While you are correct that hormonal changes have been found to have an effect in ligament strength, you are confusing normal estrogen and progesterone fluctuations with the hormone called Relaxin. Relaxin prepares the body for birth by loosening things up. But that’s only weeks before birth. Not during normal cycles. Do a google on that and you’ll learn more.

To your point though, female soccer players have the highest incidence of ACL tear in noncontact sports. For many reasons neuromuscular control, hormonal changes, and anatomical differences between male and female knees. There are specific physical therapy programs designed to help decrease injury in female athletes.

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Jetztinberlin t1_itkwu4w wrote

Female anatomy teacher and hypermobility sufferer here: Sadly, that's untrue. Relaxin not only starts as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy, but is also regularly elevated in the luteal (post-ovulatory) phase of a regular menstrual cycle, which not coincidentally is when women are statistically more likely to suffer joint injuries.

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booky456 t1_itkhpbt wrote

I wrote a section in my dissertation about female football players and the relation to hormones and acl injuries! It’s fun seeing stuff you actually know about on the internet.

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