Neuromuscular differences between male and female athletes

Female athletes who participate in jumping and cutting-type sports have a four- to six-fold higher incidence of serious knee injuries compared with male athletes in the same sports. Many of these injuries involve the anterior cruciate ligament, and occur by non-contact mechanisms. The susceptibility of the female athlete's knee to injury is likely multifactorial, although neuromuscular factors seem to have an important role. Recent studies have identified neuromuscular differences between male and female athletes. Specifically, female athletes have decreased stiffness and decreased potential for dynamic stabilization of the knee joint. Proprioception deficits involving the knee and side-to-side strength and coordination imbalances are more frequent in female athletes. Also, female athletes more commonly demonstrate imbalances in strength, timing of activation, and recruitment patterns of the lower extremity muscles. Based on these findings, neuromuscular training programs have been studied in an effort to correct lower extremity neuromuscular imbalances. Preliminary results from these programs have been encouraging in reducing peak landing imact forces in the knee, correcting strength and proprioception deficits, and ultimately in decreasing the incidence of serious knee injuries in female athletes.