The relationship of skill level to anterior cruciate ligament injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship of skill, as represented by NCAA division level, to anterior cruciate ligament rupture in collegiate men's and women's basketball and soccer players.


METHODS
Randomized, retrospective.


METHODS
Women's and men's basketball and soccer players at NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions.


METHODS
Athletes with or without ACL injury.


RESULTS
There was no relationship of ACL injury rate to NCAA division level in men's or women's basketball or soccer.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many different variables that contribute to a player's skill level. Although these variables may relate to ACL injury and may be responsible for the differential in injury rate between men and women, skill level as represented by collegiate division does not relate to ACL injury. When considering possible etiologies of the differential in ACL injury rates between men and women, the use of the term "skill" should be avoided, and more specific terms used.
Harmon
K G
KG
Ball Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine Fellowship, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
Dick
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001490:Basketball / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*