ACL Injury

Prevention


To reduce your chance of an ACL injury, follow these tips:

  • Improve your conditioning: Athletes can reduce their risk of ACL injury by performing training drills that require balance, power and agility. Jumping and balance drills help condition muscle reactions and ultimately shows a decrease in the risk of ACL injury. Many team physicians now routinely recommend an ACL conditioning program, especially for their female players. These plyometric training programs have been shown to be effective in helping to prevent ACL injuries.
  • Hamstring strengthening (esp for women): Women athletes should take care to strengthen and stretch their hamstring muscles as well as their quadriceps.
  • Maintain fitness: If you're on a seasonal sports team, stay active and fit throughtout the year. This helps prevent you getting injured when your season starts.
  • Use proper sporting technique: If your sport involves jumping, learn how to land safely. Learn to do quick pivoting manoeuvres in a crouched posture with a slight bend at the knee and hip.

Contrary to popular belief, using a knee brace during sports doesn't reduce your risk of injury.It only provides a false sense of security.

F.A.Q. Seeking Advice
29 August, 2011