Football is also known as “Soccer” in some countries. It has become very popular among women in recent years. It helps to improve equality in sports. However, it has brought up concerns such as female football players getting more knee injuries than male football players. This problem has raised questions and calls for change in both sports and medicine.
Knee injuries are much more common among female football players as compared to their male players.Studies show that women are two to eight times more likely to suffer from Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. It depends on the sport and age group. This is true in football, because the fast movements and pressure on knees make players more at risk. This knee injury requires long treatment for recovery and it may affect their careers or sometimes early retirement.
What is Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in the knee. It helps to keep the joints stable by stopping the shin bone (tibia) from moving or rotating too much. ACL injuries usually happen when a player moves too fast and changes his/her direction quickly or suddenly stops. For female players, these movements cause injuries without any contact and are critical in the treatment.
Why Are Female Football Players at High Risk?
Female football players get more knee injuries due to multiple factors, including their body structure, movement style, and physical demands of the game. There are many factors that involve increasing risk
Body Structure Differences
Wider Pelvis
Women have wider hips than men, which affects the alignment of the knees. This wider pelvis makes a larger Q-angle alignment. This angle is formed by the thigh and shin bone. It puts an extra stress on the knee joints during the physical activity and increases the risk of injury.
Smaller ACLs
Women have smaller ACLs and narrow spaces in the knee joints. This makes the ligament more likely to tear when under pressure,especially during sudden movements such as jumping or sudden stop.
Hormonal effects
Female hormones, especially “estrogen”, affect ligament flexibility. Ligaments become more loose because of high estrogen levels. It makes the ACL stretch and tear more. This mostly happens during more physically required parts of the game.
Movement and Muscle Imbalances
Landing Patterns
Female football players often touch the ground with their knees straight instead of slightly bent. This way of movement puts extra pressure on the ACL. And when they suddenly change direction, it may also put stress on the knee and cause injury.
Muscle Strength
Women mostly have weaker hamstrings (muscle) as compared to quadriceps (muscles at the front of thigh). The hamstrings help the knee to remain stable, so weaker hamstrings can increase the pressure on the ACL, and also the risk of injury.
Neuromuscular Control
Neuromuscular control is defined as the teamwork of muscles and nerves to keep the joints safe. Studies show that women have less control over their muscles than men during sudden movement or stop. If the neuromuscular control is weak, then it causes incorrect knee positioning and the risk of injury becomes high.
External Factors
Training and Equipment
Training programs and equipment were mainly designed for male football players that may not meet the unique needs of female football players. This can increase the risk of injury if the gear does not fit properly.
Playing Environment
The surfaces where women play, the level of their training, and the availability of medical care can also increase the risk of injury. Women may not always receive the same level of resources as that of men, hence chances of injury may increase.
The Impact of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can directly impact on the female football players, both physically and mentally. Due to which, the players are unable to play on the field and also their career gets affected.
Physically Impact
It takes a long time (weeks or months) to recover from ACL injuries. Surgeries require for full recovery. During this time, players miss the important matches and it can take a long time to get back to their best.
Knee injuries can cause problems like constant pain, limited movement or arthritis, even after healing.
Mental Health Impacts
Players can feel anxiety about getting back to their old play level. This can make them less confident and affect their mental health.
Impacts on Finance
Sports teams have to spend more money when players get injuries. It includes medical bills and changes to the team lineup. It affects the team’s finances.
Preventive measures:
Knee injuries, especially ACL tears can be prevented by following mentioned strategies:
Strengthening the hamstrings, and quadriceps are important to protect the ACL. Exercises, and balance training improve neuromuscular control.
Educating the players about the safe movement pattern also reduces the risk of injury.
Understanding the hormone changes affect performances and knee injury risk can help to create better training schedules for female players.
Knee injuries, especially ACL tears, affect both the physical and mental health of female football players and affect their careers as well. Understanding the factors such as body structure, hormonal changes and movement patterns can help in developing the strategies to prevent knee injuries. Female football players can reduce the risk of injury by focusing on strength, proper techniques and neuromuscular control. They can stay healthy, and keep enjoying the sports by taking the right preventive measures.