Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Female Soccer: A Gender-based Approach to Pain Assessment and Clinical Applications from the Perspective of Anxiety Disorder and Kinesiophobia

In recent years, the frequency of sports injuries has been extensively investigated in terms of risk factors and preventive measures. Players engaged in team sports are at a higher risk of injury because the games typically involve various movements and interactions with the ball, teammates, and opponents. Although the mechanism of injury is common among professional football players, it represents a heterogeneous group with different types of injuries and widespread terminology. Traditionally, it has been categorized as delayed onset muscle soreness, strains, and contusions. The initial step in injury prevention is the assessment of injury epidemiology and the elimination of injury risk. This review addresses the importance of a gender-based approach in the assessment of pain and clinical practices for anterior cruciate ligament injuries commonly seen in female soccer players. Specifically, the effects of psychological factors such as anxiety disorders and kinesiophobia (fear of movement) on anterior cruciate ligament injuries are examined. It highlights gender-based differences in anterior cruciate ligament injuries suffered by female soccer players and discusses how these differences should be taken into account in pain assessment and treatment processes.