In 1972, Title IX of the Educational Assistance Act pressed for equality for women in athletics. Since then, participation by high school and college female athletes has increased over six-fold. These reforms have improved opportunities for women in sports and heightened the quality, as well as the intensity, of women's athletics. Unfortunately, these increases have been outpaced by even more dramatic increases in certain sports-related injuries among women.

Growing evidence points to an increased injury rate among female athletes compared to their male counterparts. In a recent review of 1, 780 New Jersey high school and college athletes, women suffered season-ending injuries at a rate 2.5 times higher than that of male athletes. Moreover, the risk of an injury requiring orthopedic surgery was 3.5 times higher among women. This susceptibility seems to be at all levels of play — high school, collegiate and professional.

Women suffer certain injuries more often than men. The anterior cruciate ligament, the patellofemoral (knee cap) joint and the meniscal (shock absorber) cartilage in women have a relative risk; of being injured that is 3.5, 2.3 and 2.1 times higher than in men. Ankle injuries, in contrast, show no differences in rate or severity of injuries between the sexes.

The obvious question is, why do women have a higher injury rate? The answer is not so obvious and may result from several factors. Gender related, anatomic differences may play a role, as may recently described small differences at the cellular level in structural tissues. Subtle neuromuscular response characteristics are known to differ between the sexes. Undoubtedly, coaching and training techniques also contribute. Data are just beginning to be collected on these issues.

Women's athletics has suddenly become so much more intense than in past generations; until recently, little attention has been given to women in sports. Appropriate adjustments in equipment, training and rules may have to be made as we discover the unique needs of the female athlete. Young girls should not be discouraged from an aggressive athletic career. Instead, we must continue to monitor needs and place greater emphasis on the unique characteristics of the female athlete.

For more information, please contact Mason City Clinic Orthopedics Department at 641-494-5210.

Timothy A. Gibbons, M.D.
Orthopedist,
Mason City Clinic