Effect of Specific ACL Injury Prevention Training in Female Handball Players

Effect of Specific ACL Injury Prevention Training in Female Handball Players

The anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries rates in female handball are high, particularly among adolescents. Therefore, the primary purpose of this randomized control trial is to explore the effects of an 8-week ACL injury prevention program on muscle activation of the medial hamstring muscles during sidecutting in female handball players.

Secondary aims are to evaluate if training effects are age-related (pre-adolescent: 11-13 year old vs. adults: ≥18 years old). The age-related comparisons Include:

1. Medial hamstring muscles activation during sidecutting;
2. Well-known biomechanical ACL injury-risk factors during high risk movements, such as cutting and landing tasks;
3. Cortical and muscular activity and functional connectivity patterns during controlled knee movements;
4. Visuomotor skill learning during a simple task involving the hamstring muscles.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female handball players playing in youth teams from the age group under 13 (11-13 years old) and adult (≥18 - 40 years old) females playing for elite u19 or senior teams in Denmark
• Have minimum 1 year of experience from playing handball
• Mental and physical skills to complete the electrophysiological and biomechanical tests

Exclusion Criteria:

• Girls/women outside the age groups listed above
• Prior surgeries to the lower limbs (e.g. ACL-reconstructions, meniscus lesions)
• Current intake of medications that include antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antiparkinson, hypnotics, stimulants, and/or antihistamines
• Neurological and/or psychiatric diagnoses
• Pregnant