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A Risk Factor Model For Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, Gerwyn Hughes, J. Watkins

Kinesiology (Formerly Exercise and Sport Science)

The stability of the tibiofemoral joint is maintained by passive (non-contractile) and dynamic (contractile) mechanisms. The passive mechanisms include the shape of the articular surfaces, the menisci, the ligaments and the joint capsule. The dynamic mechanisms consist of the muscle-tendon units that cross the joint, in particular, the quadriceps and hamstrings. The incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is reported to be 6 to 8 times greater in females than males competing in the same activities. A number of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors have been proposed to account for this gender difference in the incidence of ACL …