Interaction of Potential Intrinsic and Extrinsic Risk Factors in ACL Injured Recreational Female Skiers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of potential intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in ACL injured recreational female skiers. 93 female recreational skiers who had suffered a non-contact ACL injury and 93 age-matched controls completed a self-reported questionnaire relating to intrinsic risk factors (menstrual history, BMI, previous knee injuries, self reported weekly sports participation) and extrinsic risk factors (type of ski used, time of last binding adjustment, snow condition, weather and slope difficulty). A logistic regression model revealed the following independent ACL injury risk factors for female recreational skiers: icy snow conditions (odds ratio, 24.33; 95% confidence interval, 6.8–86.5, P<0.001), skiing during snowfall (odds ratio, 16.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–152.1, P=0.013), use of traditional skis (odds ratio, 10.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–54.5, P=0.005), and preovulatory phase of menstrual cycle (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–5.5, P=0.013). In conclusion, ACL injuries in female recreational skiers are the result of a complex interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.

Key words

anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) - risk factor - multifactorial injury causation - alpine skiing

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