80%+ female ACL tears during menstrual cycle
Research suggests over 80% of ACL tears in female athletes occur during their menstrual cycle, likely due to hormonal effects on ligament laxity.
Snapshot · Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
2890: Speed Training for Athletes | How to Sprint Faster Without Getting Hurt w/ Brian Kula
Explore episode
Jun 28, 2026
Where this was said
Biggest changes in athletic training over 30 years and what went wrong with functional training
At 39:06 · chapter starts 37:09
The ACL disparity between male and female athletes is well known, but Kula's explanation goes beyond the usual anatomical explanation of wider hips and greater Q-angle. He cites research — with the caveat that he may be slightly misquoting the exact figure — suggesting that over 80% of ACL tears in female athletes occur during their menstrual cycle, with hormonal fluctuations likely causing increased ligament laxity and altered neuromuscular control. [1] — Brian Kula "Most coaches don't know that over 80% of ACL tears in female athletes appear to occur during their menstrual cycle, likely due to hormonal …" 38:28 This creates a genuine dilemma: knowing the risk period doesn't mean a female athlete can sit out a playoff game. What coaches can do is ensure year-round programming targets external hip rotation strength and knee valgus control, which reduces the forces on the ACL during the high-risk deceleration and change-of-direction movements that most commonly cause non-contact tears. Kula notes that many ACL tears are non-contact — meaning they happen because the athlete's body can accelerate into positions it can't decelerate out of safely, which is a training correctable problem even if the hormonal window cannot be managed directly.
Female ACL Tears and the Menstrual Cycle: The Connection Coaches Don't Know About
Most coaches don't know that over 80% of ACL tears in female athletes appear to occur during their menstrual cycle, likely due to hormonal effects on ligament laxity. Awareness doesn't prevent games from being played, but it should drive targeted hip stability and deceleration training year-round.
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