Reasons to Start ACL Injury Prevention Programs Early

SoccerAmerica's Dr. Dev Mishra shares,"I’ve written  and spoken about how much I believe in the value of the FIFA 11 program to reduce ACL and lower extremity injury rates, and make better soccer players. In fact the value of the FIFA 11 has been demonstrated in other sports too. I honestly can’t see why any coach wouldn’t implement this program. It’s part of the regular warmup you’d be doing anyway, and it’s better for your players. Please do it."

Since ACL tears happen more often to teenagers than to younger playerst.  This portends the question should the introduction of FIFA 11 be delayed till the teenage years?

The American Journal of Sports Medicine recently published a study that reveals that the younger players will have greater improvements in body mechanics than the teenagers. "The key study result: start the FIFA 11 program in the younger age groups."

Here are some main points to keep in mind:

• The FIFA 11 injury prevention warmup program has been proven effective in reducing lower extremity injury rates in soccer players.
• Pre-adolescent and adolescent female players are at particular risk for ACL injury, possibly due to risky movement patterns.
• A recent study shows that the pre-adolescent group may benefit most from training with the FIFA 11 program, although all groups show improvements in their movement patterns
• This study suggests that starting the FIFA 11 program as early as possible would be beneficial.

Always be prepared to ask questions and talk with the professionals when enrolling your child in any program.

For details:  Why ACL injury prevention programs should start when the players are young

Image Credit:  Future Stars Camps