•  
  •  
 

Keywords

Health Care Competency

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in adolescents, in particular females participating in sports requiring frequent jumping, pivoting, and rapid acceleration. Consequently, the prevention of ACL injury is a principal concern of athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals. Neuromuscular training (NMT) programs have been effective in reducing ACL injury risk in athletic populations, though additional clarity on programmatic factors, such as exercise selection, timing, and training dosage is warranted. Therefore, the primary purpose of this evidence-to-practice review was to present which components of NMT programs have been found to be most effective in reducing ACL injury incidence in adolescent female athletes. The guiding systematic review included 18 original investigations that examined the effects of NMT programs on ACL injury risk in young female athletes. Key findings revealed NMT programs that included a greater number of lower extremity strength training exercises, in particular lunges, heel calf raises, and those targeting the hamstrings, in combination with plyometric movements emphasizing landing stabilization, had greater efficacy in reducing injury risk. NMT programs implemented during both pre and in-season periods were most favorable for reducing injury risk, whereas those discontinued after the pre-season were ineffective. Interventions were most effective in reducing ACL injury risk in young (middle/high school) athletes in comparison to older (collegiate/professional) cohorts. Lastly, all evaluated programs included some form of implementer training. In sum, athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals should use these findings to assist in the development and implementation of preventative NMT programs targeted at reducing ACL injury risk in young athletes.

First Page

145

Download

Share

COinS