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Estrogen and muscle stiffness have a negative relationship in females

  • Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Hormonal fluctuations are one potential reason why females might have a greater rate of noncontact ACL injury. The hamstrings are capable of limiting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) loading. This study examined whether relationships existed between reproductive hormones (estradiol-β-17, free testosterone, and progesterone) and hamstring neuromechanical variables (hamstring musculotendinous stiffness (MTS), rate of force production (RFP), time to 50% peak torque (T50%), and electromechanical delay (EMD)) in genders combined and independently.

Methods

Muscle properties of the hamstrings and reproductive hormones were evaluated in 30 subjects (15 males and 15 females) that were free from lower extremity injury and had no history of ACL injury. Females were tested 3–5 days after the onset of menses and were not using oral contraceptive. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for each hormone and muscle property.

Results

For genders combined, estrogen (mean = 46.0 ± 28.2 pg/mL) was negatively correlated with RFP (mean = 758.8 ± 507.6 N/kg s−1, r = −0.43, P = 0.02) and MTS (mean = 12.8 ± 2.6 N/cm, r = −0.43, P = 0.02). Free testosterone (mean = 13.2 ± 13.0 pg/mL) was positively correlated with RFP (r = 0.56, P < 0.01) and MTS (r = 0.46, P = 0.01) but negatively correlated with T50% (mean = 114.7 ± 38.9 ms, r = −0.43, P = 0.02). When gender was considered separately, females demonstrated negative correlation between estrogen (mean = 68.0 ± 23.2 pg/mL) and MTS (mean = 11.7 ± 1.5 N/cm, r = −0.53, P = 0.05) and free testosterone (mean = 1.5 ± 0.6 pg/mL) and MTS (r = −0.52, P = 0.05). Males alone displayed no significant correlations between the selected hormones and muscle properties.

Conclusions

Correlations exist between muscle properties and reproductive hormones. Females, however, may be more sensitive to reproductive hormones and their fluctuations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Wisconsin Injury in Sport Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    David R. Bell

  2. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fetzer Hall, CB#8700, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Jeffery D. Hudson & Darin A. Padua

  3. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fetzer Hall, CB#8700, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    J. Troy Blackburn & Marc F. Norcorss

  4. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Applied Physiology Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fetzer Hall, CB#8700, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Kristin S. Ondrak & A. C. Hackney

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  1. David R. Bell
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Correspondence to David R. Bell.

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Bell, D.R., Blackburn, J.T., Norcorss, M.F. et al. Estrogen and muscle stiffness have a negative relationship in females. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20, 361–367 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1577-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1577-y

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