Could Neuromuscular and Proprioceptive Training Programs Prevent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Women’s Football?

Anterior cruciate ligament injury constitutes a serious problem in terms of athletic involvement and overall wellbeing of affected female athletes, both recreationally as well as competitively. Post-operative rehabilitation can take at least 6-9 months, delaying return to sport and in some cases preventing return to prior intensity and skill level. In football, the rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury is between four to eight fold higher in female players than in male players. One theory to account for higher knee and anterior cruciate ligament injury incidence in female athletes is that the absence of neuromuscular control of the knee joint, due to training deficiencies, developmental differences, or perhaps hormonal influences, lead to higher rates of injury.