Why Women Are at Greater Risk of ACL Injuries – and How Pursuit Athletic Centre Helps Prevent Them
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common and devastating sports injuries, often requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation. While ACL tears affect athletes of all genders, research shows that women are two to eight times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than men in comparable sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
At Pursuit Athletic Centre, we see firsthand how important it is for athletes to understand these risk factors and take proactive steps to protect their knees. So why are women more vulnerable—and what can be done to prevent ACL injuries? Let’s break it down.
Anatomical Differences in Female Athletes
Women typically have a wider pelvis, which changes the alignment of the femur and tibia and increases the “Q-angle” (the angle between the thigh and knee). This places more stress on the ACL during movements like jumping, cutting, or pivoting.
In addition, women often have smaller ACLs and narrower femoral notches, making the ligament itself more vulnerable. These anatomical differences alone don’t guarantee injury, but they do increase risk during high-impact athletic performance.
Hormonal Influences on Ligament Stability
Fluctuations in estrogen and relaxin during the menstrual cycle can impact ligament laxity and joint stability. Some studies suggest that during certain phases of the cycle, women may experience increased ligament looseness, which can compromise knee stability. While this area of research is still developing, hormonal influences are believed to play a role in the higher ACL injury rates among women.
Movement Patterns and Neuromuscular Differences
How athletes move is just as important as their anatomy. Research shows that women are more likely to land from jumps or change direction with their knees caving inward—a movement pattern known as valgus collapse. This significantly increases strain on the ACL.
Women also tend to rely more on their quadriceps than hamstrings. Since the hamstrings help stabilize the knee by reducing forward movement of the tibia, reduced hamstring activation can increase ACL stress. These neuromuscular patterns make non-contact ACL tears more common in women.
Increased Exposure in Women’s Sports
As women’s participation in high-intensity sports grows, ACL injuries have become more visible and studied. Sports that involve cutting, pivoting, and jumping—such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball—see the highest rates of ACL tears. While increased participation doesn’t explain the biological risk difference, it does highlight the urgent need for prevention programs tailored to female athletes.
Preventing ACL Injuries at Pursuit Athletic Centre
The good news: ACL injuries are not inevitable. At Pursuit Athletic Centre, we design ACL injury prevention programs that focus on:
Neuromuscular training – improving landing mechanics and knee alignment
Hamstring and glute strengthening – to balance quad dominance
Agility and balance drills – enhancing body control in dynamic movements
Education for athletes and teams – teaching safe techniques for jumping, cutting, and pivoting
Research shows that structured prevention programs can reduce ACL injury risk by up to 50%. Our expert coaches and therapists work with athletes of all levels—youth, collegiate, and professional—to protect knee health and keep them performing at their best.
While women face a higher incidence of ACL injuries than men, this does not have to define their athletic careers. By understanding the unique risk factors—anatomical, hormonal, and neuromuscular—athletes can take proactive steps to reduce injury risk.
At Pursuit Athletic Centre, our mission is to empower athletes with the knowledge, training, and support they need to compete confidently, safely, and sustainably.
👉 Ready to protect your knees and elevate your game? Contact Pursuit Athletic Centre today to learn more about our ACL prevention and athletic training programs.
