14 DAY TRIAL // Adolescent girl athletes have about an eight fold higher risk of injuring their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee than their male fellows, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center.
The two leading factors which cause teenage girls to be highly more exposed to severe knee injuries than boys refer to an increased quadriceps strength combined with a reduced hamstring strength. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries appear as a consequence of the imbalance between the very strong quadriceps and the rather weak hamstring.
Ligament injuries are more common in teenage girl athletes because they tend to have a more upright position than their male counterparts. The upright position when jumping, landing etc. accounts for the higher number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occurring in adolescent girls.
"With more girls competing in soccer, basketball, gymnastics and volleyball-sports requiring maneuvers such as jumping and landing, or quick stops and turns-more cases of ACL injuries are being seen," wrote the researchers in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Medical experts involved in the study advise young female athletes to be more careful about their position when exercising and give up to the upright position over a more flexed stance. It would be also great if adolescent girls practicing athleticism were more concerned about strengthening their hamstring, core and hip muscles.
"When an injury takes place, the child's knee and surrounding areas should be iced and elevated to prevent inflammation. With any persisting pain or lack of mobility, parents should consult with their physician," warns Dr. Christopher S. Ahmad, the leader of the study.