Injuries in Women's Basketball

Due to their body structure, ligament size, muscle strength, joint laxity and conditioning level, female basketball players become susceptible to injuries that can affect their ability to play. Preventative measures designed specifically for female basketball players, and strength training incorporated in practice, can help reduce the injury risk.

Types

According to an NCAA Injury Surveillance System (ISS) 16-year study published in The Journal of Athletic Training in the Spring of 2007, more than 60 percent of women's basketball injuries occur in the lower extremities. Some common game injuries include knee injuries (including ligament tears, internal derangement, or patellar conditions) ankle sprains, inflammation, upper leg muscle-tendon strains, and concussions.

ACL

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common injuries for women basketball players.

According to Terri Jo Rucinski of the University of North Carolina Sports Medicine Department, female basketball players are five times more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than male basketball players. This ACL, one of the four major ligaments of the knee, becomes critical to pivoting movements necessary in the game. A woman's body type, with wider hips and thighs at an inward angle, put more stress on the knees, therefore making females more susceptible to ACL injuries. Rucinski believes that implementing certain balance training programs helps reduce ACL injury risk.

Ankle Sprains

Sprained ankles are common injuries among women's players.

The ISS 16-year study stated that ankle ligament sprains accounted for approximately 27 percent of the injuries during a game. 30 percent of those were considered recurring injuries. In addition the comparative study "The Gender Issue: Epidemiology of Ankle Injuries in Athletes who Participate in Basketball," authored by TM Hosea, CC Carey and MF Harrer (2000) found that women basketball players have a 25 percent greater risk than men of suffering a grade I ankle sprain. However preventative measures such as taping the ankle, using ankle braces, stretches and high-top shoes helps minimize these types of injuries.

Concussions

According to a research study published by Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise in 2005, women are more likely to suffer a concussion during games or practice sessions than men. There was no concrete reason for why this is. The researchers speculated a woman's lesser isometric strength, smaller neck with 30 percent less girth, smaller head and an inability to resist force may be the cause.

Upper Leg Muscle Strains

The ISS study listed upper-leg muscle strains as the fourth most common injury after ankle sprains, knee derangements and patellar injuries. Potential risk factors for this type of injury in female basketball players include lack of resistance training, imbalance in relative strength within the muscle fibers, and lack of stretching and flexibility. Injuries of this nature include hamstring injuries, quadriceps pulls or tears, or ruptured tendons.

References

• Journal of Athletic Training. Descriptive Epidemiology of Collegiate Women's Basketball Injuries: National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System, 1988--1989 Through 2003--2004
• University of Houston: Everyday Life & Health. Female Knee Injuries are More Common for Female Basketball Players. By Crystal J Doucette
• Advanced Athletics: Basketball Injury Prevention
• ACC. Women's Basketball. Prevention of ACL Injuries. By Terri Jo Rucinski, PT, ATC
• Hospital for Special Surgery. Knee Arthroscopy for ACL Reconstruction, Meniscal Repair, and Other Knee Problems

Resources

• Sports Injury Bulletin: Female Neck Injuries. Women's Vulnerable Necks.