Without question, running is one of the most popular cardiovascular pastimes. Millions partake in the activity each year. Young or old, man or woman, running transcends all demographic bounds. The cumulative effect of these stresses causes structural damage at a rate greater than that at which the body can repair itself. Ultimately, the injuries become chronic, often leading to severe conditions such as osteo-arthritis and joint degeneration.
Women are especially susceptible to the debilitating effects of running.
A large Q-angle has been found to heighten the amount of knee torque during impact activities such as running . As the Q-angle increases, the proximal femur is displaced laterally, causing increased patellar tracking problems when subjected to high force maneuvers. As a rule, the wider your hips, the greater the risk for injury. Furthermore, in comparison to men, women tend to have greater laxity of the patellar ligaments . This decreases the sensitivity of the knee joint, making it vulnerable to damaging forces.