Find a LocationWomen’s Soccer ACL Prevention: Don’t Play During Ovulation?
Knee ACL injuries during women’s soccer are a national epidemic. We see women’s soccer patients every month who have shredded their ACL and invasive surgery is often planned. Is women’s soccer ACL prevention possible? It could be as simple as looking at the menstrual cycle.
Researchers at Loma Linda University looked at 10 women and measured their hormone levels during their cycle and their ACL stability and stiffness. This made sense, as we’ve known for a long time that female hormones can impact ligament laxity; in fact this is how the pregnant body prepares for birth, by releasing hormones that make the birth canal ligaments lax. What did the researchers find? That during ovulation, when estrogen levels were the highest, the knee ACL ligaments were the most lax and likely prone to injury. In addition, when the temperature increased (simulating a good warm up period), the ligament properties improved despite the hormone induced laxity.
The upshot? If you’re a female athlete playing during your mid-cycle ovulation and concerned about your ACL, you may want to make sure you warm up very well!
Learn about Regenexx procedures for knee conditions.
If you have questions or comments about this blog post, please email us at [email protected]
NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.
We do not sell, or share your information to third party vendors.
By submitting the form you agree that you’ve read and consent to our Privacy Policy. We may use email, phone, or other electronic means to communicate information about Regenexx.
We will provide information to help you decide whether you want to schedule an evaluation with a Regenexx Physician.
Insurance typically covers evaluations and diagnostic testing (if recommended). Most insurance plans currently do not cover Regenexx Procedures.
