Gender differences in anterior cruciate ligament injury rates in wisconsin intercollegiate basketball.

OBJECTIVE The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women basketball players has been shown to exceed that of male basketball players. The purpose of this study was to determine the ACL injury rate for both male and female intercollegiate basketball players in the state of Wisconsin and to determine if certain factors played a significant role in the number of ACL injuries incurred. DESIGN AND SETTING The design was a 5-year retrospective survey study. The study took place in the state of Wisconsin at 22 colleges and universities. SUBJECTS Certified athletic trainers were selected from the colleges and universities to answer the surveys. MEASUREMENTS The survey consisted of close-ended questions about the incidence of ACL injuries and the circumstances surrounding these injuries. RESULTS The injury rate was high in the female basketball players. The female athletes had a 2.3 times higher ACL injury rate than the male athletes. No other factors were found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS ACL injuries were higher in the female athletes than the male athletes examined.