Dunn shines light on link between ACL injuries and menstrual cycle
England veteran goal shooter Rachel Dunn has urged female athletes to be more “aware” of the link between anterior cruciate ligament injuries and menstrual cycles.
At 36, Dunn is the oldest player in Tracey Neville’s 12-strong squad for the Netball World Cup in Liverpool, which begins on Friday – a startling achievement given she has twice had to come back from ACL injuries. Research has shown that the injury is more prevalent in women due to fluctuations of oestrogen, the female hormone, during the menstrual cycle.
One theory is that peaks in oestrogen levels decrease the elasticity of major joints, making them more injury prone.
“I think it’s something to be aware of,” Dunn said. “More research needs to be done. I’m aware that to help out all your ligaments you need to have strong hamstrings and glutes – you need to be well coordinated and controlled as possible. Don’t miss leg day in the gym.
“I had two major ACLS when I was younger and that has made me aware of my body and make sure it’s on the ball. I’ve just got strong in the gym. I learnt early on that the body is vulnerable and that you have to look after it. Do the sessions you need and it kind of gets easier as you get older.”
An England debutant in 2004, Dunn’s international career looked over after being left out of the Commonwealth Games squad last year, but she has enjoyed a resurgence. The Wasps player spared England’s blushes in the Quad Series in January after inspiring a fightback to pip Australia in a repeat of their Commonwealth Games win.
“I never thought I’d be here four years ago, when they announced that it [the World Cup] was going to be in Liverpool, I thought my career would be long gone,” Dunn said. “The fact that I’m still playing, it’s a bit surreal. I’m just enjoying every moment being the oldest.”
England travel to Liverpool today after cruising to a 75-38 victory over Manchester Thunder in a warm-up match on Saturday. They begin their World Cup campaign on Friday against Uganda, whom they beat 3-0 in a series last November.