Genetically Predisposed to Risk of ACL Rupture In Females
Rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament(acl) is considered to be the most horrific and feared injury in sports. The ACL is a ligament that connect the femur to the tibia and prevents the tibia from sliding in front of the femur. There has been a study that shows how based off of the lack of the COL5A1 gene, athletes can be predisposed to tearing their acl. The major structural constituents of ligaments are collagens, specifically types I and V. Of late, the gene that encodes for the α1 chain of type I collagen has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cruciate ligament ruptures. The COL5A1 gene encodes for the α1 chain of type V collagen, and has been shown to be associated with Achilles tendon injuries, which lead to the suspicion that the COL5A1 gene could also be correlated with ACL ruptures. The study had a control group of physically active females with no history of ACL tears and another group of females who all have history of ACL tears. The results showed that the ACL group severely lacked the COL5A1 gene, leading to a correlation between ACL tears and a lack of the COL5A1 gene.
The predisposition to ACL injuries based on the lake of certain genes is an interesting concept, and if this is true, can help women. Because those who do lack the specific gene associated with this injury can take more precaution in order to avoid an ACL rupture.
ReplyDeleteThe correlation between the lack of the COL5A1 gene and female athletes rupturing there ACL is an interesting theory. I have heard of female athletes being more at risk to rupture there ACL's due to a greater Q angle caused by a female's wider pelvis it would be interesting to see a study controlling for this variable.
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