This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. There is substantial evidence of a higher incidence of non-contact knee injury rates in female athletes compared to male athletes, when normalized to exposure rate for the same sport. While numerous etiologies have been proposed, recent studies suggest a link between normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and the incidence of knee injuries, with decreased injury rates during the luteal phase. Substantiating the association between hormonal fluctuations and injury are reports that show hormonal contraceptive use may decrease injury risk. Our pilot data suggests that normal hormonal fluctuations are evidenced in the variability of biomechanical measures; with the least variability occurring in the luteal phase. During activities that challenge knee stability, this increased variability potentially predisposes the knee to greater stress and thus a greater chance of injury. Our approach, therefore, makes it possible to monitor the influcence of hormones on performance. The long-term objective of our research is to minimize the risk of injury in women.
The specific aim of this project is to establish the link between hormonal fluctuations and variability in performance.
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