Research Project Launched to Reduce ACL Injuries in Women’s Football

The alarming frequency of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football has prompted the launch of a three-year research project called ‘Project ACL.’ This initiative, led by FIFPRO, the Professional Footballers Association, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University, aims to investigate and reduce the number of ACL injuries in women’s football, with a focus on the Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs in England.

Over half of the 12 WSL clubs are participating in the research, which will examine environmental factors that can increase ACL injury risk, such as facilities, staff to squad ratios, playing and travel schedules, and frequency of access to training facilities. The project is supported by England and Barcelona right-back Lucy Bronze and former England striker Ellen White.

ACL injuries are a major concern in women’s football, with two-thirds of injuries occurring without physical contact. These injuries can be devastating, with only 65% of affected players returning to their pre-injury level of sport. Women are three to six times more likely to experience ACL injuries than men, and the injury rate has not changed in over 20 years.

Previous research on ACL injuries in women’s football has focused on physiological factors like body positioning and menstrual cycles. ‘Project ACL’ aims to move away from singular understandings of ACL injuries and focus on holistic and environmental risk factors to prevent injuries.

The launch of ‘Project ACL’ signifies a crucial step towards understanding and addressing the high rates of ACL injuries in women’s football, with the ultimate goal of reducing these injuries and increasing player availability in the sport.