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Latest Research
Research Details
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| Research Title: |
Prevention of Soccer-Related Knee Injuries in Teenaged Girls |
| Type of Research: |
Publication Articles |
| Category: |
Preventative Techniques
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| Keywords: |
Knee Injury
Soccer
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| Author(s): |
Kiani A, Hellquist E, Ahlqvist K, Gedeborg R, Michaelsson K, Byberg L |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
12 March 2010 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
Young female soccer players have a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury due to both age and gender. Knee injuries, and especially ACL ruptures, may have long-term consequences, including incomplete recovery and secondary osteoarthritis of the knee. The HarmoKnee program was a community-based intervention trial conducted in two Swedish counties with female soccer teams and targeted at players aged between 13 to 19 years. The program entailed an information session for players, parents and team leaders to increase awareness of injury risk, as well as practical training for both coaches and players in warm-up, muscle activation, balance, strength and core stability. The exercise program was developed by a physician in collaboration with an orthopaedic surgeon, a physiotherapist and soccer coaches specifically for female soccer players. To further encourage compliance, teams were given written training programs and instructors were available to visit teams upon request. The outcome measure was new acute knee injuries diagnosed by a physician.
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| Research Objectives: |
The aim of the research was to observe whether a specifically designed injury prevention program targeted at female soccer players aged 13 to 19 years would reduce the incidence of knee injuries. The intervention program aimed to improve awareness of injury risk, maximise adherence and promote proper motion patterns in players.
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| Research Outcomes: |
Participation in the injury prevention intervention program reduced the incidence of knee injury by 77% and non-contact knee injury by 90%. Compliance with the exercise program was high, with 94% of teams reporting adherence of at least 75%. One year after participating in the program 19% of team continued to use the entire exercise program and 44% continued to use components of it.
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| Research Implications: |
The HarmoKnee program was an inexpensive and successful injury prevention intervention. Clubs found it easy to integrate into their training program as it was specifically designed by an interdisciplinary team for the target group (in this case, young female soccer players), required little extra time and no extra equipment. The program had a number of components which may have further encouraged success – involving parents and team leaders, emphasising the importance of not overusing young talented players in matches, visits to the teams by program instructors on request and practical education of both coaches and players.
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