Quadriceps muscle volume positively contributes to ACL volume

摘要

Abstract Females have smaller anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) than males?and smaller ACLs have been associated with a greater risk of ACL injury. Overall body dimensions do not adequately explain these sex differences. This study examined the extent to which quadriceps muscle volume (VOLQUAD) positively predicts ACL volume (VOLACL) once sex and other body dimensions were accounted for. Physically active males (N?=?10) and females (N?=?10) were measured for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Three‐Tesla?magnetic resonance?images of their dominant and nondominant thigh and knee were then obtained to measure VOLACL, quadriceps, and hamstring muscle volumes, femoral notch width, and femoral notch width index. Separate three‐step regressions estimated associations between VOLQUAD and VOLACL (third step), after controlling for sex (first step) and one body dimension (second step). When controlling for sex and sex plus BMI, VOLHAM, notch width, or notch width index, VOLQUAD consistently exhibited a positive association with VOLACL in the dominant leg, nondominant leg, and leg‐averaged models (p?