New Research Project Launched to Prevent ACL Injuries in Women’s Super League
A new three-year project, called “Project ACL,” has been announced to research and prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Fifpro, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University are collaborating to fund the research, which will focus on environmental factors that increase the risk of ACL injuries in female footballers.
Currently, just over half of the 12 WSL clubs have agreed to participate in the project. These clubs will be assessed on various factors, including their facilities, staff ratios, access to training facilities, travel arrangements, and playing schedules. Dr. Alex Culvin, head of strategy and research for women’s football at Fifpro, hopes that more clubs will participate once the season ends. The ultimate goal is to expand the project to professional leagues worldwide.
ACL injuries are a significant concern in women’s football, with research suggesting that female players are two to six times more likely to suffer these injuries compared to their male counterparts. Several high-profile players, including England captain Leah Williamson, former Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, have all recently experienced ACL injuries.
Dr. Stacey Emmonds, an expert in Sports Performance at Leeds Beckett University, notes that injury rates are consistent with previous seasons but expects a decline due to the growing professionalization of the game. Previous research has mainly focused on physiological factors such as menstrual cycles, football boots, and body position. However, Emmonds believes that these factors don’t tell the whole story and can be misleading.
According to Emmonds, language surrounding female ACL injuries often suggests that these risk factors are inherent to females and cannot be changed. However, she argues that many of these factors can be influenced, such as providing strength and conditioning training from a younger age. She also highlights the need for research into neuromuscular programs specifically designed for female athletes. Environmental factors in the women’s game are considered to be one of the most significant areas for further investigation.
Fern Whelan, a former England defender and now a women’s football executive at the PFA, explains that the project was launched in response to players’ calls for more research. Whelan emphasizes the union’s commitment to player welfare and the importance of addressing the concerns and frustrations expressed by players.
Lucy Bronze, an England defender, stresses the need to include player-led feedback in the project. Bronze believes that it is crucial to hear the players’ voices as they are the ones who go through these injuries. She highlights the misinformation and lack of understanding surrounding ACL injuries and emphasizes the need for finely tuned research to identify key factors and focus points for prevention.
Ultimately, the goal of “Project ACL” is to create the best possible environments for female footballers and reduce the risk of ACL injuries. By addressing environmental factors and involving players’ perspectives, this research project aims to have a significant impact on the future of professional women’s football, ensuring a safer and more sustainable sport.