ACL Injury Prevention

Question 1

What programs have shown reduced incidence of ACL injury in female athletes?

Answer 1

PEP (Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance) - 89%
Sportsmetrics 
HarmoKnee 
Olsen et al 
Peterson Et al
Knakontroll- 64%

Question 2

What exercises, dosages, and on/ off season recommendations could be made to prevent ACL injury?

Answer 2

Multiple exercise types- strength, proximal control, plyometric, and flexibility
Multiple times/ week, longer than 20 minutes
Training volume more than 30 min/ week
During pre season and continuing during season

Question 3

Is balance training indicated for ACL prevention?

Answer 3

No, may not be needed and definitely not solely.
Soderman et al and KLIP found increased risk for injury with balance alone
Programs without balance training have been effective
Use of balance boards didnt influence ACL reduction risk

Question 4

Should you utilize programs for those athletes who are not at risk?

Answer 4

Yes, all young athletes benefit, even those not considered high risk.
Age range 12-25 y/o

Question 5

Regarding gender- who seems to benefit most from ACL prevention programs?

Answer 5

Female, under 18

Question 6

Can other sports, other than soccor benefit from training programs?

Answer 6

yes- handball showed reduced ACL injury- not meniscus
Conflicting evidence with basketball- some found fewer some found more
No conclusions with volleyball

Question 7

Is use of plyometric component helpful?

Answer 7

KLIP used this with no effect in reduction of ACL injury

Question 8

Regarding compliance, what is the recommendation and incidence of ACL injuries?

Answer 8

82% lower ACL injury

overall compliance- attendance X compliance (# of sessions completed/ # offered)

Question 9

Who should be leading these training sessions?

Answer 9

coaches/ medical professionals

Question 10

List some of the muscles to stretch/ flexibility in the accredited programs

Answer 10

G/S
Quads 
Hamstrings 
hip flexors
ITB 
Low back 
Adductor 
piriformis 
Even delts/ lat/ posterior shoulder

Question 11

What running drills would you have your patient do

Answer 11

Jogging- forward 
Backward running 
Zig zag 
High knees 
Bounding

Question 12

What strength exercises would you recommend

Answer 12

DL/ SL squatting 
lunges 
Nordic hamstring exercises 
Plank 
bridges 
Sit ups 
Calf raises 
Can use weighted machines

Question 13

What plyometric exercises would you recommend

Answer 13

SL hopping- fwd/ back/ multi-directional
skaters
jump to header/ ball catch- sport specific