Cruciate ligament stress and adaptation

[Ben Patterson]

(I apologize if this is a repetitive inquiry, I did not find an answer in several searches)

If the squat as described in the SS model is an ACL & PCL neutral movement, how do these structures (ACL/PCL) adapt and thus get stronger?

If the cruciate ligaments are not subjected to stress (what I take "neutral" to mean, please correct me if I am misunderstanding) then those tissues would not adapt. Given that there is nothing to adapt to.

So the reason that fewer ACL injuries may occur in athletes who use this model would be a function of the hamstrings being more capable of holding the joint together. Therefore requiring less reliance on the ligaments, is this correct?

Thanks for your time.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Exactimundo.