Sports ACL Knee Injuries in Youth Sports on the Rise

“Sports and recreation-related injuries are
more common nationwide than injuries from
traffic accidents”

 Incident Rates for Sport Related Injuries

–  Age 5 to 14 (59 per 1,000)
–  Age 15 to 24 (56 per 1,000)
–  Age 25 to 44 (21 per 1,000)
–  Age 45 and up (6.2 per 1,000)
Source: National Center for Health Statistics

Sports Related Injuries account for 22% of
Emergency Room Visits

–  Individual Sports – 55% of visits
–  Group Sports – 45% of visits

Injury Distribution By Sport

Basketball – 17.1%
Pedal cycling – 16.1%
Football – 10.3%
Baseball/softball – 9.4%
Other sport – 6.8%
skating/boarding – 5.7%
Gymnastics/ cheerleading – 5.6%
Playground – 5.2%
Other group sports – 4.3%
Snow sport – 4.2%
Water sport – 3.8%
Soccer – 3.6%
Exercise / track – 3.6%
Combative – 2.3%
Recreational – 1.9%

The Problem

–  About 250,000 ACL injuries occur annually in
the US costing billions of dollars.
–  Surgical repairs & related costs are $20K + each
–  ACL injuries are common in both non-contact
(70%) & contact (30%) sports
–  Injury occurrence is 4-5 times higher for
women than men
–  Ages 15 – 25 are the most vulnerable
–  Sports most commonly associated with ACL
injury include: Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball,
Racquet sports, Handball, Gymnastics, &
Skiing.
–  Soccer & Basketball account for up to
2/3rds of ACL injuries in Women.
–  The Emotional Cost for Athletes is High.

ACL Injury Prevention

–  Biomechanical Training strategies offer the most
amenable solutions to reduce ACL injury.
–  Only Neuromuscular Training programs have been
shown to reduce ACL injuries.
–  Proprioceptive Training can help athletes minimize
vulnerable positions.
–  Injury Reductions of 20 –80% have been reported.
–  Neuromuscular Performance Improvement of 100 –
200% is achievable.
(Note: Functional knee braces have not been shown to prevent ACL injury)

Sources: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Center for
Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention

Benefits of ACL Prevention Training

–  Improved Athletic Performance
–  Improved Safety
–  Fewer Injuries
–  Less Severe Injuries
–  Sustainable Athletic Participation
–  Encouragement
–  Improved Confidence
–  Less Worry for Parents, Athletes & Coaches
–  Medical Cost Savings

PHYSICAL THERAPY CONNECTIONS, P.C.

www.PT-Connections.com

(719) 565-6678