Do hormonal differences predispose athletes to injury?
It is well known that female hormones effect the composition and structure of a variety of tissues. Estrogen has a significant effect on the development of bone, muscle, and connective tissue. Clearly, fluctuations in hormonal concentrations may influence the structure and composition of the anterior cruciate ligament. The recent recognition of hormonal influence on the anterior cruciate may be a significant factor in determining what causes anterior cruciate ligament disruption at a greater rate in female athletes. Another contributing factor in female injuries is that the female foot is distinctly different from that of their male counterparts. Yet, shoe manufactures on the whole tend to make their female shoes identical except for size.
