Weak at the Knees

Female athletes are especially vulnerable to ligament injuries. They can learn to protect themselves—by behaving more like boys.

By Pat Wingert and Barbara Kantrowitz | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 8, 2008 | Updated: 12:16  p.m. ET Jan 8, 2008

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  • Posted By: Ko9er @ 01/09/2008 10:11:17 AM

    I would encourage any female athlete to protect herself against ACL/cartalidge damage every way possible: proper stretching and weight training, muscle memory drills, and learning jumping techniques. I suffered an ACL injury as a high school basketball player, and it was physically and especially mentally devestating. I also encourage coaches and parents to learn how to support their girl's bodies and minds on and off the court, in order to help them become strong people who can deal with adversity, risk, and recooperation at a young age.

  • Posted By: Ron Paul For Pope @ 01/08/2008 5:25:30 PM

    Athletes stress their ACLs by using their legs exclusively. If they ran around on all fours once in a while, that might relieve some of the strain.

  • Posted By: samsonboards @ 01/08/2008 4:22:47 PM

    It's all about the right footwear. I've been a highschool coach for 10 years and I have custom fit athletes into footwear for over 15 years. 90% of these injuries can be avoided by proper shoes and insoles that support the athlete according to their personally bio-mechanics.

  • Posted By: samsonboards @ 01/08/2008 4:22:24 PM

    It's all about the right footwear. I've been a highschool coach for 10 years and I have custom fit athletes into footwear for over 15 years. 90% of these injuries can be avoided by proper shoes and insoles that support the athlete according to their personally bio-mechanics.

  • Posted By: colleenb @ 01/08/2008 4:14:44 PM

    I blew out my ACL in college playing softball, 8 years ago when I was in the best shape of my life. I did a twisting/wait shift that I shouldn't have done and I knew it...it only made sense to me that that's why it happened. For my defense, a ball was moving one direction and it hit my teammate and started moving in another direction. It was initially misdiagnosed and luckily I didn't hurt my knee any further. I had surgery and followed my rehab plan to the T. I have loose joints and I know that I have to be stretched and well warmed up when I play, if it's cold I wear a neoprene brace (otherwise I don't). But I generally don't have any problems, if my knee is sore it generally means I need to ice it or do a low stress workout like ride a stationary bike. Just a word to the wise: KNEE INJURIES ARE NOT SOMETHING TO MESS AROUND WITH. I've had my fair share and should know (before the ACL injury, not now).

  • Posted By: luckyone @ 01/08/2008 3:13:50 PM

    She said it her self "She shifted her weight to her right leg as she prepared to kick the ball and heard a"
    Your leg does not like to move when weight is shifted onto it. First shift the weight to the leg intended not to move, then move the leg with out weight. As simple as this sounds no coach in my 15 years of athletics ever told me this. Only my martial arts instructor has passed this insight on to me. I was very lucky not to blow my knee out during my time in sports and the Marines. the shifting can be done slow or fast but if you are nice to your body your body will return the favor.

  • Posted By: melisarraraz @ 01/08/2008 3:05:56 PM

    I don't believe it's a question of muscularity. but rather strenght. At 5'6'' and 135 pounds my daughter can squat 275llbs and leg press 435lbs. I've had in strenght and conditioning programs for the past 3-years since she was 14 years-old. She plays competitive and high school varsity soccer.

  • Posted By: hfelks @ 01/08/2008 3:01:35 PM

    Yes you are correct on that. Also I would like to add that because physicans ( at least in my area) don't listen to the concerns and needs of women. I have had numerous doctors tell me that my knee pain is all in my head and there is nothing they can do. When they do this women just keep going and do their day to day lives in pain and than the joint really gets damaged.

  • Posted By: hfelks @ 01/08/2008 2:57:19 PM

    Yes this is true. Also since I have had injuries to the knee I can tell you that physicians ( at least in my area) don't like to listen to what you have to say and have told me numerous times it is all in my head. So than women just keep going on with life doing what we need to as the joint gets worse.

  • Posted By: kent45 @ 01/08/2008 2:25:30 PM

    Its simple! You have to build up your muscles to protect your ligaments. Girls are not as muscular as boys and will have more injuries.

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