Knee and ACL injury rates in NCAA soccer players: an epidemiological study of 10 consecutive seasons
A summary of the research:
This study examines knee and ACL injury rates in NCAA men’s and women’s soccer over 10 seasons (2009-2019). Using data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program, researchers found that knee injuries were more common in women’s soccer than in men’s, with an injury rate of 14.87 per 10,000 athlete exposures (AEs) compared to 10.81 in men’s soccer. ACL tears were also significantly higher in women’s soccer, occurring at a rate of 2.58 per 10,000 AEs, nearly three times the rate in men’s soccer (0.83 per 10,000 AEs). Competition-related injuries were more frequent than practice injuries in both groups, and most knee injuries were classified as sprains, occurring during blocking and defending actions.
The findings suggest that female soccer players face a disproportionately higher risk of knee and ACL injuries compared to their male counterparts. Factors such as knee joint structure, biomechanics, and hormonal influences may contribute to this increased risk. Given the severity of ACL injuries and their long recovery times, the study highlights the need for targeted injury prevention programs, particularly in women’s soccer. Strength training, neuromuscular training, and proper load management should be prioritized to reduce injury rates and improve player longevity.
Key Takeaways:
Implement Targeted ACL Prevention Programs – Since ACL injuries are nearly three times more common in women’s soccer, teams should incorporate proven neuromuscular training programs, such as FIFA 11+, to strengthen muscles and improve movement mechanics.
Prioritize Injury Prevention in Competition Settings – Knee injuries occur more frequently in matches than in training. Coaches should ensure that players are adequately prepared for the physical demands of competition through structured load management and pre-game warm-up routines.
Focus on Strength and Stability Training for Defenders – Since most knee injuries occur during blocking and defending actions, defenders should receive specialized training that includes strength, agility, and proprioception exercises to reduce injury risk.
Authors: Avinash Chandran, Neel Rao, Adrian J. Boltz, Reagan E. Garciaa, Christy L. Collinsa, Andrew Shafik,
Evert Verhagene, Margot Putukianf and Francesco Della Villa
You can read the article here.
