An Evidence-Based and Mechanistic Approach to Reducing the Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: An Exercise and Sport Science Australia Position Statement - PubMed

3 hours ago

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a serious sporting injury with long-term consequences like early-onset knee osteoarthritis, and its incidence has risen in Australia, especially among female and adolescent athletes in cutting and landing sports.
Neuromuscular and structured warm-up programs can reduce ACL injury risk by about 60% in populations like adolescent female soccer, basketball, and handball players, but implementation and adherence are inconsistent, and effectiveness in males, elite athletes, and some high-risk sports remains unclear.
The position statement proposes a tiered framework for exercise prescription: Tier 1 focuses on population-level programs combining plyometric, strength, balance, mobility, and agility exercises, while Tier 2 targets specific neuromuscular deficits like dynamic knee valgus and lateral trunk flexion with more individualized interventions.

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