ACL Injury prevention in female athletes: review of the literature and practical considerations in implementing an ACL prevention program

Female athletes are at 3.5 times risk of sustaining a non-contact ACL injury compared with males. Research has shown that this gender discrepancy results from differences in neuromuscular adaptations and biomechanics related to landing techniques. Studies have examined the preventative effect of ACL prevention programs, which have been designed to address these risky neuromuscular and biomechanical patterns. We review the key studies on ACL prevention in female athletes and summarize the critical components of ACL prevention strategies that have been shown to successfully decrease ACL injury risk. We also discuss recommendations and practical considerations in the implementation of ACL prevention programs in various community settings.