ACL injuries are not only more common in female athletes but are considered to be the most severe of acute (rapid onset) injuries. The short- & long-term effects of an ACL injury are large.

Women will incur 2-6 times the number of ACL injuries compared to men when matched for age, sport & level of competition.

Some of the factors leading to increased risk are changeable, including:

• biomechanical execution
• neuromuscular activation
• footwear
• training surface

Other factors are not changeable, such as:

• biological status
• hormonal levels
• anatomical factors

The most common event associated with non-contact ACL injury is during deceleration, when an athlete makes a cut or changes direction or lands from a jump.