Among the many injuries that occur in women’s football, ACL injuries seem to be one of the most common. Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming one of those injured players.
Non-contact fashion
Increasing numbers of female athletes participating in high-intensity sports have contributed to an epidemic of ACL injuries. Moreover, a large proportion of the injuries were noncontact.
The main goal of this study was to determine the football-specific factors associated with ACL injuries. To this end, a questionnaire was developed and implemented, which analyzed injury-specific and extrinsic factors. This questionnaire was later adopted by the Swedish ACL Registry in Football.
ACL injuries are a prevalent injury, occurring in all levels of football players. ACL injury is more likely to occur in the supporting leg in females than in the kicking leg. These injuries occur when pivoting with the planted foot or landing near full extension. ACL tears also occur more frequently during decelerations.
ACL injury is more likely to occur in games than during practices. It is also more likely to occur in the first 30 minutes of the game. ACL injury rate is significantly higher during the first half of the season than the second half.
Women’s football mechanics
Compared to males, women face a 2- to 10-fold higher risk of ACL injury. Several studies have investigated the risk of ACL injury in women. Several factors have been identified as risk factors. Some of these factors include gender, age, menstruation, and body mass index.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most common knee injuries in competitive sports. It jeopardizes long-term joint health and requires prolonged absence from the sport. Treatment options include physical therapy and immobilization.
The mechanism of ACL injury is usually due to a sudden change of direction. Common injuries occur during pivoting or sudden changes in speed. These types of movements are typically associated with sports such as football, soccer, and gymnastics.
Females are also more susceptible to ACL injuries because they have a greater proportion of quadriceps muscle weakness. Menstrual cycle has also been associated with increased injury risk.
Another risk factor for ACL injuries is high knee abduction moment during landing tasks. Several studies have shown that women are at higher risk of ACL injury after landing.
Treatment options
Often associated with sports such as soccer and basketball, ACL injuries affect one in three athletes in the United States each year. Symptoms include popping, swelling, and pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery may be required.
In some cases, nonsurgical treatment can help the knee heal. The RICE (Rice, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol may be prescribed. Physical therapy can also be recommended. These may include exercises to strengthen the joint, improve range of motion, and control swelling.
ACL reconstruction surgery is usually performed in a hospital setting. Usually, the surgery lasts less than two hours. In some cases, the surgeon uses a cadaver tendon from a donor. The graft is then used to make a new ACL.
Post-surgical rehabilitation is often challenging. Swelling may continue to linger and cause stiffness in the knee. Recovery from an ACL injury may take several months. Some athletes may have to limit their participation in sports.
ACL injuries can be prevented through training and prevention programs. These programs are usually tailored to the specific sport. The training should be supervised by a trained professional.
Prevention
Historically, female athletes have been prone to a higher incidence of ACL injuries than males. This is likely due to the structural differences in the knee. During landing, women’s knees may not be as stable as men’s and they may be more prone to tearing their ACL.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury is a serious injury, which can require significant rehabilitation time. Women are also at an increased risk of further ACL injury after reconstruction, and doctors are beginning to notice an increase in the rate of ACL injuries.
In order to prevent ACL injuries, prevention programs should address biomechanical factors, as well as neuromuscular control. This means training programs should involve one or more of the following: strengthening the quadriceps, improving the speed and quality of footwork, and working on the core to improve balance.
The effectiveness of programs should be enhanced by targeting high-risk athletes. Research has shown that female soccer players are at a significantly higher risk of ACL injuries.
