TitleSex comparison of hamstring structural and material properties.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsJ Blackburn, T, Bell, DR, Norcross, MF, Hudson, JD, Kimsey, MH
JournalClinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
Volume24
Issue1
Pagination65-70
Date Published2009 Jan
KeywordsYoung Adult
Abstract

Musculotendinous stiffness provides an estimate of resistance to joint perturbation, thus contributing to joint stability. Females demonstrate lesser hamstring stiffness than males, potentially contributing to the sex discrepancy in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk. However, it is unclear if the sex difference in hamstring stiffness is due to differences in muscle size or to inherent/material properties of the musculotendinous unit. It was hypothesized that hamstring stiffness, stress, strain, and elastic modulus would be greater in males than in females, and that hamstring stiffness would be positively correlated with muscle size.

DOI10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.10.001