Implementation of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Risk Reduction Program in NCAA Division II Women's Soccer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53646/0fr6ag17Keywords:
ACL Injury, ACL injury females, Collegiate Athletes, Female collegiate soccer athletes, risk reductionAbstract
BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a significant cause of performance limitation among female collegiate athletes, often resulting in lengthy rehabilitation and increased risk for long-term complications such as osteoarthritis. While multi-component injury risk reduction (IRR) programs incorporating plyometric, neuromuscular, balance, and strengthening exercises have shown promise, their efficacy in broad competitive populations remains unstudied. This study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of a six-week injury risk reduction program among NCAA Division II women's soccer players.
METHODS: A single-group pretest-posttest design was applied to 27 participants aged 18-21 from Nova Southeastern University during the Fall 2024 season. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included functional knee testing via the Single-Leg Squat, Lachman, and Lever sign, alongside injury tracking throughout the season. The program consisted of biweekly, supervised 15-minute sessions targeting specific muscles associated with knee stability through equipment-free exercises.
RESULTS: Results showed no statistically significant group-level improvements in squat test outcomes post-intervention; however, some individual athletes exhibited function gains in lower extremity control. Injury data revealed no ACL injuries during the season. Participant adherence was high, with 78% completing the program as planned, and the protocol was well tolerated with no adverse events. Analysis found no association between injury history and demographic or screening variables.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated the feasibility and the potential for short, standardized IRR protocols to be integrated into collegiate athletic training, particularly in resource-limited areas. The program's equipment-free design and supervised delivery suggest scalability for teams without dedicated athletic trainers. Although further research with larger, controlled samples is warranted to optimize dosage and long-term outcomes, this study supports the implementation of complex ACL injury prevention programs as practical and promising strategies in women's collegiate soccer.
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