Sex Differences in Injury Mechanics

Flashcards about sex differences in injury mechanics, covering topics like sex vs gender, sports science research, data gaps, and biomechanical considerations.

Sex

The biological differences between male and female, including genetic, hormonal and physiological differences. (Humans, non-humans, animals, cells)

Gender

A social construct based upon interpersonal roles or personal identification and is often but not always concordant with biological sex. (Unique to humans. Can change over time. Multifaceted and complex)

Data Gap in Sport Science Research

For the last 70 years, steep rise in women participating in sport/exercise and females are “significantly underrepresented” in sport/exercise science research.

Legacy (Contributing factor to data gap)

Early sports research primarily focused on male athletes; this male-centric bias continues to some extent today.

Biology (Contributing factor to data gap)

Biological and physiological differences, such as hormonal cycles, make including female athletes in research more complex.

Opportunity (Contributing factor to data gap)

Female athletes represent a smaller proportion of participants in many sports, complicating recruitment for research studies.

Culture (Contributing factor to data gap)

Historical socio-cultural factors have led to less funding and fewer research opportunities focused on female sports.

Ethics (Contributing factor to data gap)

Ethical concerns about invasive research on female athletes, especially related to pregnancy and menstrual cycles, have limited their study inclusion.

Injuries with greater incidence in females

Concussion, ACL rupture and bone stress injuries (BSI) greater incidence in female than male athletes, also patellofemoral pain syndrome and ankle sprains

Examples of Modifiable Risk Factors

Training/technique, Muscle imbalances, Nutrition, Neck strength, falling and landing techniques, Neuromuscular control.

Examples of Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Participation in high-risk sports, Anatomical structure, Genetics and hormonal factors, Developmental and aging factors, Neck length/head to neck size ratio, Pelvic width, tibial slope, Q-angle Injury history etc

Cognitive Impairment After Brain Injury

After a brain injury, females have been reported to be more cognitively impaired than males (1.7 to 1).

Concussive Effects After Brain Injury

After a brain injury, females have been reported to experience greater objective and subjective concussive effects.

Memory Function After Brain Injury

After a brain injury, females have been reported to have worse visual and combined memory function scores.

Female vs Male Axons

Female axons smaller, fewer microtubules than male contributing to more extensive axonal injury from comparable biomechanical forces

Cervical Spine Properties and BI Risk

Increased female susceptibility to whiplash & concussive injuries because Male cervical spine better at resisting inertial loading of c-spine - greater intervertebral coupling and stability

Reasons which complicate sex differences

Women players typically don’t have access to rugby at school – lower playing age than male counterparts and medical provision differs considerably between men’s and women’s elite, and university rugby teams.

Contact (ACL Rupture)

Tackle etc., probably unavoidable during ACL Rupture.

Non-Contact (ACL Rupture)

Twisting/turning, no external contact = more preventable during ACL Rupture.

Q-angle in females resulting in ACL Rupture

Approx. 5 degrees greater due to wider pelvis.

Reference Man

Reference man is defined as being between 20-30 years of age, weighing 70 kg, is 170 cm in height, and lives with an average temperature of from 10º to 20ºC. He is a Caucasian and is a Western European or North American in habitat and custom

Relationship between injured runners and contralateral pelvic drop

Injured runners demonstrated greater contralateral pelvic drop. Increased pelvic drop is linked to higher knee valgus moment, a known ACL injury risk factor.

Relationship between injured runners and knees

Injured runners landed with more extended knees. This reduces the knee's ability to absorb impact and increases ACL strain.

Relationship between injured runners and hip adduction

Hip adduction was greater in injured groups. Increased hip adduction leads to higher knee valgus, another ACL risk factor.

Relationship between injured runners and gluteus medius

Weak gluteus medius was hypothesized to contribute to increased pelvic drop in injured runners. Weak glutes can increase dynamic knee valgus and abduction moment, both ACL injury risks.