THE BLOG

Why Women Are More Likely to Experience an ACL Tear

Check out this recent article on ACL tears featuring Unbroken Athlete co-founder, Dr. Catherine Logan, MD.

Women tear their ACLs at significantly higher rates than men, especially in sports that involve cutting, pivoting, and jumping—like soccer, basketball, and skiing. This disparity is due to a combination of anatomical, hormonal, and biomechanical factors. Anatomically, women tend to have a wider pelvis, which affects the alignment and angle of the knee joint (known as the Q-angle), potentially increasing stress on the ACL. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, particularly elevated estrogen levels, have also been shown to affect ligament laxity, possibly making the ACL more vulnerable to injury during certain phases.

Biomechanically, female athletes are more likely to demonstrate movement patterns that place greater strain on the knee—such as landing with less knee and hip flexion, more knee valgus (inward collapse), and relying more heavily on quadriceps over hamstrings for deceleration. These patterns can increase shear forces on the ACL during dynamic movements. Additionally, neuromuscular control and strength imbalances, particularly in the core, glutes, and hamstrings, may contribute to the higher injury risk. Understanding these multifactorial causes has led to the development of targeted prevention programs that focus on improving landing mechanics, building strength, and enhancing proprioception—particularly important for female athletes.

THE BLOG

Why Women Are More Likely to Experience an ACL Tear

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