Women’s football ACL injury study launched

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries was unveiled in the English Women’s Super League on Tuesday. Players’ unions, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and FIFPRO, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University, which are jointly providing funding for the project, are partners in this endeavour.

Studies have indicated that ACL injuries are significantly more prevalent in women’s football compared to men’s, with statistics suggesting a two to six times higher likelihood among female players. Despite this, there remains a dearth of comprehensive understanding regarding effective measures to mitigate these injuries within the professional women’s football realm.

Over three years, WSL clubs partaking in this pioneering study will undergo assessment across various parameters. These include evaluations of their facilities, staffing levels relative to squad size, travel arrangements, and playing schedules, among other factors.

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FIFPRO’s head of strategy and research for women’s football, Alex Culvin, underscored the importance of addressing ACL injuries in response to the players’ concerns and broader industry needs. Culvin emphasized that “Project ACL” is distinctive in its exclusive focus on professional women’s football players and is strengthened by the collaborative efforts of a diverse array of stakeholders.

In recent years, several prominent figures in the women’s game have faced sidelining due to ACL injuries. England captain Leah Williamson and Euro 2022 Golden Boot recipient Beth Mead were notably absent from the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to such injuries. Similarly, former Ballon d’Or awardee Alexia Putellas played a limited role in Spain’s World Cup triumph following a year-long absence stemming from an ACL tear. Notable players such as Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema have also grappled with similar setbacks.

The announcement of “Project ACL” has garnered positive reception from figures within the women’s football community. England and Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze highlighted the significance of such an initiative, emphasizing the need for accurate and targeted research to address ACL injury prevention. Bronze stressed the importance of dispelling misconceptions and misinformation surrounding ACL injuries and called for a nuanced understanding of the contributing factors and mitigation strategies.

In essence, “Project ACL” represents a crucial step forward in the quest to enhance player welfare and advance the understanding of ACL injury prevention within the realm of professional women’s football.