32% rise in ACL injuries for high school girls soccer

Over the past 15 years, ACL injuries among high school athletes have surged by 26%, with girls’ sports experiencing a 32.3% increase. Girls’ soccer leads with the highest ACL injury rate at 13.3 per 100,000 athlete exposures, followed by basketball and lacrosse. This rise is attributed to factors such as increased participation in high-risk sports, year-round play, and insufficient injury prevention training. ​Project Play+4Project Play+4Project Play+4Time

In response, the National ACL Injury Coalition, formed by the Aspen Institute and Hospital for Special Surgery, emphasizes the need for preventive measures. Implementing neuromuscular training exercises, like the FIFA 11+ warm-up, can reduce non-contact ACL injuries by up to 80%. These programs are cost-effective and can be easily integrated into regular training sessions. However, widespread adoption remains a challenge, underscoring the importance of educating coaches, parents, and athletes about injury prevention strategies. ​