Women have gained significant ground in
sports since the advent in 1972 of Title IX,
the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination
in education.
But when it comes to knee
injuries, the playing field is far from level.
Research has shown that girls...
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Women have gained significant ground in
sports since the advent in 1972 of Title IX,
the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination
in education.
But when it comes to knee
injuries, the playing field is far from level.
Research has shown that girls are four to
eight times more likely than boys to suffer
damage to the anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL), the ligament that runs from the thigh
bone to the shin and stabilizes the knee.
The injury most often occurs in noncontact
sports when the athlete jumps or pivots.
As more and more young women enter the
athletic arena, ACL injuries have soared in
alarming numbers.
The health care costs
associated with these injuries are staggering
— up to $625 million annually.
In addition,
there are other costs to the athlete: loss of
playing time, possible loss of scholarships
and a greater risk for degenerative arthritis
in later life.
Effects of the menstrual cycle
Dozens of research studies have focused on
factors
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