Female Athletes
And
ACL Injuries
Laurel Northrop
PSY 325
Farhad Abrishamkar
October 6, 2008
Thesis Statement
Female athletes are more likely to suffer ACL injuries while competing in athletics.
Formal Outline
I. Introduction
A. Gender differences
B. Continued participation in collegiate/professional athletics
C. Anatomical comparisons
D. External/internal risk factors
II. Statement of Problem
A. Higher reports of ACL injuries among female athletes
B. Research studies with high injury reports of ACL ligament damages
C. No significant changes with the amount of injuries
D. Female athletes can make a career from playing professional level athletics
E. If research and change is not done, female athletes may not be able to play at the collegiate/professional level
F. The effects of menstrual cycle and the female athlete
III. Literature Review
A. University of North Carolina-Chapil Hill study
B. Medical College of Ohio, Toledo study
C. University of Pittsburgh and Timothy C. Sell research
D. McGill University research by Paul A. Martineau, MD
IV. Findings
A. Body Movement and Balance differences
B. Preovulatory phase and its affects on the ACL ligament
C. Preventative Training to reduce ACL injuries in the female athlete
V. Discussion
A. Specific movements that create a higher risk of ACL injuries for the female athlete
B. Factors that are not addressed in the results of higher ACL injuries in the female athlete.
C. Conditioning and training that could reduce the ACL injuries in female athletes.
VI. Conclusion: Summarize
A. Does menstrual cycle affect the occurrence of ACL injuries in the female athlete?
B. Why continue to do research to find the underlying reason for the higher rate of injury?
C. Solutions that may limit ACL injuries in the female athlete
1. preventative training
2. oral contraceptive use
3. neuromuscular training
4. balance development
5. conditioning
VII. References
Abstract
Research...