Artikel
What is the association between the menstrual cycle and ACL laxity and muscular stiffness in adolescent athletes?
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 13. Juni 2005 |
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Gliederung
Text
Introduction
The high risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes may be related to hormonal fluctuations resulting in an increased laxity of ligaments and muscles. This study examined changes in lower limb musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) and knee laxity over the course of the menstrual cycle.
Methods
Ten female netball players (16-18 years) who were not using hormonal contraceptives participated in this study. Test sessions took place at menses, mid follicular phase, ovulation and mid luteal phase. ACL laxity was determined at each test session using a KT-2000® knee arthrometer. MTS was assessed prior to, and following a standardised warm-up.
Results
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant (p<0.05) main effects of test-session and warm-up on MTS. MTS was found to significantly decrease by 4.2 % following the warm-up intervention. MTS was significantly lower at week 3 (ovulatory phase) in contrast to week's 1 and 2 (8.7 % and 4.5 %, respectively). For knee laxity measures, repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant (p<0.05) differences across the menstrual-cycle.
Discussion
A reduction in MTS results in greater reliance on reflexive response from the contractile components of the muscle due to a decreased contribution from passive elastic structures. A reduction in MTS will also increase electromechanical delay (EMD). Given that extreme loads are applied to the knee joint within milliseconds, the contractile components cannot respond quickly enough to counteract these sudden and potentially damaging forces. Lower MTS is proposed to be a contributing factor for the higher incidence of ACL injury at ovulation.