The Relationship between Serum Relaxin Concentrations and Knee Valgus

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Female athletes exhibit a higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears compared to males.
• Current injury screening and neuromuscular training programs have not significantly reduced ACL injury rates in female athletes.
• Understanding biomechanical and hormonal risk factors is crucial for effective injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus during specific clinical tests in female athletes.
• To determine if relaxin levels correlate with a key biomechanical risk factor for ACL injuries.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two female athletes participated in the study.
• Serum relaxin concentrations were measured during the mid-luteal phase.
• Kinematic data, including knee valgus, were collected during single leg squat, drop vertical jump, and single leg crossover dropdown tests.

Main Results:

• Regression analyses demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus across all tested movements.
• These findings indicate that serum relaxin levels and knee valgus are interconnected in female athletes.
• Knee valgus, a modifiable biomechanical factor, and relaxin, a hormone linked to ACL injury, show a demonstrable relationship.

Conclusions:

• Serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus are not independent factors in female athletes.
• A more comprehensive approach is needed to assess injury risk and reduce ACL tears.
• The study highlights the interplay between hormonal status and biomechanics in female athlete knee injuries.