Sex differences in muscle morphology of the knee flexors and knee extensors.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Females experience higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries; males experience higher risk of hamstring strain injuries. Differences in injury may be partially due to sex differences in knee flexor (KF) to knee extensor (KE) muscle size ratio and the proportional size of constituent muscles.

Purpose

To compare the absolute and proportional size, and mass distribution, of individual KE and KF muscles, as well as overall size and balance (size ratio) of these muscle groups between the sexes.

Methods

T1-weighted axial plane MR images (1.5T) of healthy untrained young males and females (32 vs 34) were acquired to determine thigh muscle anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA). Maximal ACSA (ACSAmax) of constituent muscles, summated for KF and KE

SUBMITTER: Behan FP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5779647 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature