Quadriceps-to-Hamstrings Imbalances in Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes: Implication for Injury

Quadriceps-to-Hamstrings Imbalances in Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes: Implication for
Injury

Sports involving rapid jumping, repetitive stop and go movements, and sudden changes of direction place the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at an increased risk for injury. Female athletes tend to be quadriceps dominant suggesting a muscular imbalance between the strength of the quadriceps and hamstring thigh muscles. Ideal quadriceps-to-hamstring ratios should be as close to 1 as possible to prevent injuries in athletes; however, ratios of 1.5-1.8 are still considered normal. These Biomechanical imbalances are believed to decrease shock absorption and knee stabilization during landing. The purpose of this study was to examine the strength of the quadriceps-to-hamstrings ratios in female collegiate soccer athletes.