Study Launched to Investigate Causes of Knee Injuries in Women Football Players in London

In a groundbreaking move to address the alarming rate of knee injuries among women football players, a new study titled ‘Project ACL’ has been launched in London. The three-year study will focus on players in the Women’s Super League in England, aiming to shed light on the causes of ACL injuries that disproportionately affect female athletes compared to their male counterparts.

According to organisers of the project, women are two to six times more likely than men to suffer ACL injuries, a statistic that has raised concerns within the football community. Dr Alex Culvin, Head of Strategy and Research for Women’s Football at FIFPRO, expressed the importance of addressing the players’ needs and industry demands through this research initiative.

Partnering with FIFPRO, the Professional Footballers Association, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University, Project ACL will delve into various factors contributing to ACL injuries in women’s football. Research has shown that a significant number of ACL injuries occur without physical contact, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation into the issue.

The study will specifically focus on workload, travel, and appearances of players in the critical zone, where the risk of injury is heightened due to consecutive games with minimal rest periods. With several high-profile players like Sam Kerr, Alexia Putellas, and Beth Mead succumbing to ACL injuries in recent months, the urgency to address this issue has never been more apparent.

A UK Parliament report earlier this year underscored the systemic gender inequality in sports, pointing out the lack of footwear designed for female football players as a concerning factor. Project ACL aims to take a holistic approach in identifying potential causes of ACL injuries, considering both physiological and environmental factors that may influence injury risk in women’s professional football.

With experts like Dr Stacey Emmonds leading the research efforts, Project ACL is poised to make significant strides in understanding and preventing ACL injuries in women’s football, ultimately paving the way for a safer and more inclusive sporting environment.