Research Log #2 - Solutionary Project 2020 

 
Date:   Feburary 22, 2020
Name:   Taeshia Natividad
Essential Question:   Why are females more prone to ACL tears compared to males?
 
Three Points to Prove: #1:  The build of a female body is different than male
   #2:  The mechanics of a female body opperates different than males.
      #3: The cycles that a female body goes through hurts the knees more.
 
 
 
Point that this Source Proves:   #2: The mechanics of a female body opperates differnt than
males.
 
 
 
Excerpts (These should provide insight into the Point to Prove): 

Dr. Marie Schaefer reports early in the article that “When executing a jump-stop maneuver,
women have a tendency to activate the quadriceps (front of the thigh) first, while men use their
hamstrings (back of the thigh) first.”

Dr. Schaefer goes on to say “This can affect the amount of strain applied to the knee ligaments.
Athletes who land from a jump with their knees wider apart appear to have a decreased risk of
ACL injury.”

Reports show that “Women have a greater tendency to land with their knees closer together.
Fatigue can also be hazardous. Tired athletes are more likely to land with poor mechanics, such
as drawing the knees closer together.”

Analysis (How does this source support the Point to Prove?): 

This website provided reliable information to prove that the mecahnics of a female body
is unlike the body of a male. Dr. Marie Schaefer reports early in the article that “When executing
a jump-stop maneuver, women have a tendency to activate the quadriceps (front of the thigh)
first, while men use their hamstrings (back of the thigh) first.” This shows the way the female
body works while jumping. When a woman jumps, the way the body is designed makes the
landing mechanisms damage the knee ligaments more. When people land and activate the
quadriceps first rather than the hamstrings, this puts an extrenous amount of force upon the
cartilage and ligaments of the knee. When there is too much stress on the ligaments, it can cause
strains, tears or fractures.
Dr. Schaefer goes on to say “This can affect the amount of strain applied to the knee
ligaments. Athletes who land from a jump with their knees wider apart appear to have a
decreased risk of ACL injury.” When the landing base is closer together, that can make the
weight unbalanced. When the weight that is forced upon knees is unbalanced and closer together,
this can increase the force on the knees. When you land with your knees closer together, we tend
to put one leg down before another and too much force on one leg will definetly not be able to
handle all the force which will cause a tear or strain. Strains are usually the first stage of a tear,
due to the fact that it weakens the ligaments.
Recent reports have shown the damage done to our bodies when we are fatigued. Reports
show that “Women have a greater tendency to land with their knees closer together. Fatigue can
also be hazardous. Tired athletes are more likely to land with poor mechanics, such as drawing
the knees closer together.” This article provides real facts that show how having a tired body can
weaken our body. When female bodies are tired, every ligament and joint is tired as well. Tired
ligaments mean that they are weak, and when playing strenueous sports wtih unexpected
movements and cutting, this can increase the chances of tearing or straining something.

Work Cited (correct MLA format): 

 

 Team, Joint. “2 Surprising Reasons Women Have a Higher Risk for Knee Injury.” Health
Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 17 Jan. 2019,
health.clevelandclinic.org/2-surprising-reasons-women-have-a-higher-risk-for-knee-
injury/.

 This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by a certified Orthopedic

physician who is familiar with the different mechanisms of a female body.