December 2012 Update

Look for some fresh info soon.

FIFA Link for Soccer Specific ACL Prevention

This link is from the FIFA site. They reference the PEP program and something from FIFA F-MARC called the 11+ exercises for injury prevention.

FIFA article on ACL injury prevention

The article includes links to a downloadable brochure on Health and Fitness of the female player from FIFA's Medical Assessment and Research Centre, F-MARC.
Downloadable injury prevention brochure from FIFA

Prevention Link of the day

This is a great link on the call for prevention, complete with video on how to screen for potential injury .

Jan 9 prevention link of the day

Surgery scheduled for Jan 14

My daughter is scheduled for a hamstring graft ACL reconstruction next week.

The local sports medicine provider has a great animation of the upcoming surgery here. 

Animations of procedures

With audio narration no less.

Check it out. 

It may motivate you to take prevention steps today.

First visit to Orthopedist coming up tomorrow

Tomorrow we will meet with a local orthorpedic surgeon to review my daughter's injury and hear his recommendation of what course of action to take. We are lucky to live in a university town with excellent sports medicine specialists.

Take steps today to reduce ACL injuries

“There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Take a half an hour today to read up on the epidemic of ACL injuries for young women and I am convinced you will agree that we must take steps immediately. Here is a link to another good article with some simple tips on how to make a difference.

http://www.infosports.com/clvclinic/femaleacl.htm

this is an excerpt from the article referenced

"There is no doubt that improving one's propioception, hamstring strength, and posture will help reduce the incidence of ACL injuries in females."

Some injury prevention tips from Mayo Clinic

This is an example of what you'll find when digging through the various links.

Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

To reduce your chance of an ACL injury, follow these tips:

• Improve your conditioning. Training programs that have been shown to be effective in helping to prevent ACL injuries typically include stretching and strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, plyometric exercises, "jump training" and risk-awareness training. Exercises that improve balance also can help when done in conjunction with other training exercises.
• Strengthen your hamstrings (women). Women athletes should take care to strengthen and stretch their hamstring muscles as well as their quadriceps.
• Keep fit year-round. If you're on a seasonal sports team, stay conditioned all year. This will help with your balance, strength and coordination when the next season starts.
• Use proper techniques when playing sports or exercising. If your sport involves jumping, learn how to land safely. Learn to do cutting maneuvers in a crouched posture with a slight bend at the knee and hip.