Knee Armor Training Program: An 8-Week Sensorimotor Approach to Reducing Knee Injury Risk in Women's Rugby

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common injuries in playing rugby. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a custom-designed training program on changes in dynamic knee valgus angle (DKV) and Reactive Strength Index (RSI), which are the main risk factors, in a group of female Rugby-7 players. Methods: A total of 16 professional Rugby-7 players completed an 8-week KAT program intervention, which was incorporated twice a week throughout this time. In both the pre- and post-tests, dynamic knee valgus was assessed during the drop jump (DJ) test using the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) method. The jumps were analyzed using Dartfish 2024 software. Results: The post-tests revealed an increase in RSI values (p = 0.0496; SD = 1.25 ± 0.44 vs. 1.40 ± 0.35) and a reduction in valgus of the left knee joint (p = 0.01; SD = 9.08 ± 11.86 vs.0.00 ± 7.42). The correlation between RSI and the valgus angle produced inconclusive results (rs = -0.69; p < 0.01; rs = -0.35; p = 0.25; rs = -0.38; p = 0.2; rs = -0.2; p = 0.51). Cohen's d = -0.37964. Conclusions: The training program proved effective in improving RSI scores and reducing the valgus angle of the left lower limb, which functioned as the supporting leg. These findings potential KAT implementation as a warm-up routine in professional women's rugby clubs.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; dynamic knee valgus; injury; reactive strength index; rugby.

Figure 1

Start (A) and end position (B) in DJ test.

Figure 2

RSI values in pre- (RSI) and post-tests (RSI2) graph.

Figure 3

Changes in knee valgus angle values [°] for the left (A) and right (B) lower limbs after KAT training.