Wahl Solutions ACL Program
ACL injury prevention programs significantly reduce the risk of knee injuries in young female athletes under eighteen years old. The Exercise-Based Knee and ACL Injury Prevention Guidelines developed by the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy emphasize structured exercise programs incorporating neuromuscular training, plyometrics, strength training, and proximal control exercises.
These programs are most beneficial when initiated in the preseason and continue throughout the competitive season. The optimal program frequency is 2-3 times a week, with each session lasting at least 20-30 minutes.
Wahl Solutions has chosen the PEP program (Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance). The PEP has been shown to reduce non-contact ACL injury rates in adolescent female athletes. Some studies report an average risk reduction of 75% to 100%, offering a strong protective effect against ACL injuries (Mattu et al.., 2022; Noyes & Barber-Westin, 2014; Noyes & Westin, 2012).
ACL injury prevention programs like the PEP have also been shown to reduce knee loading during landing and cutting activities (Zebis et al., 2015; Pollard et al., 2017; Thompson-Kolesar et al., 2018).
In short, young female athletes benefit the most from ACL injury prevention programs. Programs like the PEP show the most consistent results in improving long-term knee health when high compliance and year-round training are used to maximize effectiveness.
References
Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Published Online: January 1, 2023, Volume 53, Issue 1, Pages CPG1-CPG34. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2023.0301
Mattu, A., Ghali, B., Linton, V., Zheng, A., & Pike, I. (2022). Prevention of Non-Contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries among Youth Female Athletes: An Umbrella Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084648
Noyes, F., & Barber-Westin, S. (2014). Neuromuscular retraining intervention programs: do they reduce noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury rates in adolescent female athletes?. Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association, 30 2, 245-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2013.10.009.
Pollard, C., Sigward, S., & Powers, C. (2017). ACL Injury Prevention Training Results in Modification of Hip and Knee Mechanics During a Drop-Landing Task. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 5. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967117726267.
Thompson-Kolesar, J., Gatewood, C., Tran, A., Silder, A., Shultz, R., Delp, S., & Dragoo, J. (2018). Age Influences Biomechanical Changes After Participation in an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Program. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 46, 598 - 606. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546517744313
Zebis, M., Andersen, L., Brandt, M., Myklebust, G., Bencke, J., Lauridsen, H., Bandholm, T., Thorborg, K., Hölmich, P., & Aagaard, P. (2015). Effects of evidence-based prevention training on neuromuscular and biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury in adolescent female athletes: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50, 552 - 557. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094776.