In a recent report,
The American Academy of Pediatrics noted an increase over the past two decades in the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries reported among young athletes. The ACL is one of the main ligaments that stabilizes the knee joint, particularly during activities such as jumping and pivoting.
The report attributed the rise in reported ACL injuries to a number of factors, including:
- more children are participating in organized sports overall,
- children are participating in high-intensity sports training earlier, and
- advanced medical imaging and increased awareness are resulting in more ACL injury diagnoses.
According to the report, female adolescent athletes account for the greatest number of ACL injuries reported, but these young athletes can reduce their injury risk through neuromuscular training. Through this type of training, an athlete uses plyometrics (i.e., repetitive jumping exercises to develop lower body strength), with (1) balancing exercises, (2) strength training, (3) stretching, or (4) a combination of these to neurologically “preprogram” movement patterns that are safer and less likely to result in injury during intense athletic activity.
The report found that neuromuscular training appears to reduce the risk of ACL injuries in young female athletes by 72%.
