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Review
. 2017 Sep;10(3):281-288.
doi: 10.1007/s12178-017-9416-5.

ACL Injury Prevention: What Does Research Tell Us?

Trent Nessler  1 , Linda Denney  2 , Justin Sampley  3
Affiliations
Review

ACL Injury Prevention: What Does Research Tell Us?

Trent Nessler et al. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Mechanisms leading to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have been identified, yet re-injury or a secondary injury persists in the athletic population. The purpose of this review is to identify risk factors associated with ACL injury and investigate programs to prevent injury.

Recent findings: Faulty mechanics during dynamic movement that cause excessive valgus force at the knee increases the risk of ACL injury. Faulty mechanics may be a result of lateral displacement of the trunk, unequal limb loading, and lack of control to avoid the valgus knee position. Altered movements that place the ACL at risk are best identified in a fatigued state; however, could be recognized in a standard dynamic assessment. The faulty movement patterns are modifiable and should be addressed in an injury prevention program. Prevention programs include various modes of exercise such as plyometrics, neuromuscular training, and strength training. This review concludes that those programs which utilize neuromuscular training and strength training at a young age show the most promise in reducing ACL injuries. An ongoing thorough dynamic examination is necessary for all athletes while adjusting the intervention program in order to decrease the risk of ACL injury.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); Knee injury; Neuromuscular training; Plyometrics; Prevention program; Strength training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Landing with knee extended and adduction moment causing stress to the ACL
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Equation for calculation of limb symmetry index
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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