The ABCs of ACLs

Female athletes use their leg muscles differently than male athletes, which may be why active women are more likely to injure their knees, says a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

This small study suggests female athletes have less control of their hip muscles, which can stress their knees. With less stability, women risk tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of four primary ligaments around the knee joint.

To see if you’re at risk, do a single leg squat standing on one leg without support, lowering yourself as far as possible. You may be at risk for a knee injury if you:

Had trouble keeping your balance.

Had trouble reaching a 90-degree angle.

Let your knee drift way in front of your toes.

Turned your knee inward.

Felt knee pain.

To prevent ACL injuries, the experts advise training the hip muscles. A qualified trainer can suggest exercises to correct these patterns.