About
This study is examining whether estrogen changes knee tissue composition and loading across the menstrual cycle and compared to oral contraceptive pill users.
We're recruiting female netballers aged 18–35 to understand how the hormone estrogen influences knee ligament, cartilage, and muscle function during sports-related tasks.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are rising fastest in young women. This study uses biomechanical testing, medical imaging, and computer modelling to examine how estrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle affect soft tissue function. The ultimate goal of this work is to inform targeted ACL injury prevention strategies that consider the role of estrogen in training, screening, and rehabilitation.
Who can participate?
Regular Menstrual Cycle Group
- Female, aged 18–35 years
- Regular menstrual cycles ≥ 6 months
- Change-of-direction sport ≥ once/week
- No prior major knee injury or surgery
Contraceptive Pill User Group
- Female, aged 18–35 years
- Monophasic pill (e.g. Yasmin, Levlen) ≥ 12 months
- Change-of-direction sport ≥ once/week
- No prior major knee injury or surgery
Eligible volunteers will receive:
- $50 e-gift care for your time
- a personalised muscle symmetry report
- a copy of your MRI scan.
Beyond biomechanical surrogates: Uncovering estrogen’s true impact on ACL & knee joint loading project supervisor: Dr Scott Starkey at the University of Melbourne.
Ethics HREC No: 36687
Version Date: 02/07/2026
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