The ACL is the primary stabilizer of the knee

The ACL is the primary stabilizer of the knee. It prevents the joint from rotating and extending too far. It is a single hinge joint.
• Females are 8 times greater risk of an ACL tear than males.
• In the early 1990’s 1/3 of all female college soccer players had an ACL injury.
• 70% are non-contact
• All require surgery and it takes 4-6 months to recover
Why does this happen??
• Hormonal
• Shoe wear
• Smaller ACL
• Neuromuscular
Neuromuscular??
• Females activate their quad muscle first and have less firing of their Hamstrings and Gluts. This causes straight leg landings and more load on the knee in AP direction and side to side.
• Max shear force on the ACL occurs at knee flexion of 10-30 degrees.
• Injury more common in deceleration
• THE ABSOLUTE CAUSE OF INCREASE TEARS IN FEMALES IS UNKNOWN BUT THIS PREVENTION PROGRAM PRODUCED AN 88% REDUCTION IN ACL INJURIES.
• GO TO www.la84foundation.org
• click on coaches education and look for ACL prevention