Prevention of total ACL ruptures in 15–19-year-old football players : Evidence-based exercise program for preventing ACL injuries in adolescent football players
Pulkkinen, Pyry (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092224963
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092224963
Tiivistelmä
This thesis investigates preventative strategies for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in adolescent football players. The thesis aims to create an evidence-based exercise program to prevent ACL injuries in football. Injury to the ACL is common and most often severe, particularly in football, where fast-paced running, sudden changes of direction, jumps, and collisions put the knee joint under high risk for injury.
The research in this thesis focuses on the anatomy of the knee joint and the lower limb, risk factors and biomechanics of an ACL injury, as well as preventative strategies for ACL injury. By identifying the modifiable risk factors for an ACL injury and creating an evidence-based exercise program to address the risk factors, the program aims to reduce the number of ACL injuries in the future.
The exercise program is designed to be used by 15–19-year-old football players, their coaches, trainers, parents, and physiotherapists. The program includes a variety of exercises that include strength, plyometric, and neuromuscular training. The program differs from already existing injury prevention programs by including gym-based strength components to facilitate measurable progressive overload, rather than pitch-side warm-up protocols.
The program is theoretically grounded in recent literature and is suitable for implementation. However, the program has not been tested with real participants; therefore, its real-world effectiveness, feasibility, and adherence remain to be evaluated. Future research could include pilot testing in a football team with player feedback and injury monitoring throughout an entire competitive season.
The research in this thesis focuses on the anatomy of the knee joint and the lower limb, risk factors and biomechanics of an ACL injury, as well as preventative strategies for ACL injury. By identifying the modifiable risk factors for an ACL injury and creating an evidence-based exercise program to address the risk factors, the program aims to reduce the number of ACL injuries in the future.
The exercise program is designed to be used by 15–19-year-old football players, their coaches, trainers, parents, and physiotherapists. The program includes a variety of exercises that include strength, plyometric, and neuromuscular training. The program differs from already existing injury prevention programs by including gym-based strength components to facilitate measurable progressive overload, rather than pitch-side warm-up protocols.
The program is theoretically grounded in recent literature and is suitable for implementation. However, the program has not been tested with real participants; therefore, its real-world effectiveness, feasibility, and adherence remain to be evaluated. Future research could include pilot testing in a football team with player feedback and injury monitoring throughout an entire competitive season.