Date of Defense

4-24-2026

Date of Graduation

8-2026

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Nicholas Hanson

Second Advisor

Julie Raedy

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common lower limb injuries and pose significant physical, psychological, and long-term functional challenges for athletes. Additionally, research has suggested that females are up to eight times more likely to experience an ACL injury than their male counterparts. This increased risk is multifactorial with risks including anatomical structure, neuromuscular control, strength deficits, and hormonal fluctuations. However, the elevated risk of ACL injuries in female athletes may not solely be caused by biological differences, but also due to training programs and sports being designed around male athletes. This pushes us to change the narrative to show female athletes, especially at a young age, that they can train like male athletes without developing the physique often associated with male athletes yet still gain the same benefits.

This paper examines the multitude of causes of ACL injuries in female athletes and examines how injury prevention programs targeted towards females may decrease the risk of injury and create stronger athletes. Female targeted programs take common modifiable injury causes such as knee alignment, neuromuscular deficits, and altered movement mechanics and create specialized training programs to counteract these deficits. Additionally, these programs increase power, strength, agility, and technique development, therefore creating stronger competitive athletes.

In addition to training programs, new advancements in surgical, rehabilitation, and return-to-sport strategies may decrease the risk of a second injury or any post-surgical complications. These advancements include BEAR treatment, internal bracing, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, blood flow restriction training, and anti-gravity treadmill training. These innovations aim to improve surgical outcomes, accelerate recovery, and reduce the likelihood of second injury. Additionally, prehabilitation strategies, task-based rehabilitation progression, and individualized care programs ensure that return-to-sport protocols are more individualized and prioritize functional and psychological readiness rather than time-based benchmarks. With the combination of these advancements in prevention, recovery, and personalized care female athletes may experience reduced injury and improvement in athletic performance.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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