title: The relationship between serum relaxin and knee joint laxity in female athletes.
abstract: Gravidity studies have intimated a relationship between serum relaxin levels and joint laxity. To assess its applicability to eumenorrheic athletes, weekly serum relaxin and knee arthrometry measurements were obtained in 57 collegiate women and 5 men for 4 consecutive weeks. The former included athletes, ACL-injured athletes, and nonathletes, while the latter formed an a priori hormonal control. Analysis of variance revealed a significant change in weekly serum relaxin levels in females but not in anterior translation. Regression analysis failed to disclose a relationship between these variables. Therefore, we conclude relaxin does not affect knee laxity.
authors.affiliation: Arkansas Orthopedic and Sports, Springdale, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Bell
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cooney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D012065:Relaxin / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D012065:Relaxin