When you think of sports injuries, you may think of professional male athletes like Yankees baseball player Aaron Judge, who has frequently experienced calf strains, oblique strains and shoulder issues. Or maybe basketball player Kawhi Leonard, who injured his knee during a game. Yet, the reality is that female athletes are often much more susceptible to injuries than males—and eight times as likely to experience an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. They’re also more at risk for injuries like ankle sprains, stress fractures, shoulder problems and even concussions.

Much of this boils down to female anatomy. Women generally have wider pelvises, so their thigh bones angle down more sharply than men’s, putting pressure on the inside of the knee. Women’s ligaments also tend to be more lax, so they rupture easily. Women’s menstrual cycles also play a role. Progesterone levels are highest on days 19 to 24 of a woman’s cycle. This causes ligaments to become even looser, which increases the risk of ACL injuries.

The good news is that with some basic awareness and preventive measures, there’s a lot women can do to level the playing field. Here’s how:

Train differently. After the weight rooms at the men and women’s NCAA tournaments were called out due to unequal access to equipment, it was made even more apparent that we don’t prioritize strength training for women, which is crucial to preventing injuries and building bone and muscle strength.

Many women are “quad dominant,” meaning that their quadricep muscles are stronger than their hamstring and gluteal muscles. Those muscles stabilize the pelvis, spine and knees, so if they are weak, it raises the risk of lower-body injuries. Easy exercises like side lunges, split squats, deadlifts or even stepping side to side with a resistance band above your knees can help strengthen them.

Female athletes also seem to be more susceptible to concussions. A possible reason? Less neck strength. Simple exercises like chin tucks can help.

Don’t put off medical attention. We know that women are much more likely than men to experience concussions while playing sports such as soccer, softball and basketball. They’re also more likely to suffer more severe symptoms, and for longer. Yet, women are less inclined to seek medical evaluation and treatment because they often brush off symptoms. But without prompt care, it puts them more at risk of developing post-concussion complications.

See the right doctor. If you’re injured, seek out a hospital or medical center that has a female athlete program—like the one at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health. Our female-focused specialists are aware of the unique issues that women face and understand how to care for them. For instance, if a patient comes in with repeat stress fractures, we’d refer her to an endocrinologist to check her bone density, as well as to a nutritionist to make sure she’s eating enough bone-building foods. A woman who is missing periods would be referred to a gynecologist. In some circumstances, we’ve seen young female athletes who have been told by their primary care providers that it’s fine that they’re not menstruating, and it’s just due to their intense exercise regimen. But it may not be fine and can lead to bone loss later in life.

These are all small steps—but powerful ones. Once we acknowledge that women are at greater risk of sports injuries and address why, we’re one step closer to the goal of gender equity in athletics.

Learn more about the Women’s Sports Medicine Program at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health.

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