Experts have reported increased cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear amongst teens and recommends proper training program to avoid such injuries.
Researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that young athletes, especially girls, are at risk of ACL tear and neuromuscular training may reduce the risk of getting serious injuries.
The report has been published in the American Academy of Pediatrics and "outlines the current state of knowledge on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ACL injuries in children and adolescents."
ACL is one of the key stabilizing ligaments of the knee and a tear may require a surgery. Moreover, a young athlete suffering from ACL tear may have to be off from school as well as from sports practice for months. Athletes involved in soccer, basketball, gymnastics and similar sports are likely to experience ACL tears.
Athletes who rely mainly on their ACL should focus on neuromuscular training as it will help stabilize the joint in the knee. Proper training program will focus on the best way for the athletes to move, jump and land on their legs safely and keep away from any potential injury. Researchers say that usually an ACL tear occurs when a person speedily changes direction or lands on the legs inappropriately. ACL tear is also common in male athletes but it is a frequent occurrence for female athletes who are in college.
Cynthia LaBella, who is a medicine specialist at the Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago and also the lead author of the study, says that during puberty boys get more muscles due to a burst of testosterone. However, girls are not the same and do not get big muscles during puberty, which makes it harder for them to control their tall body and get an ACL tear. However, the muscles in girls can be trained to avoid ACL tear.
The study suggests that the number of ACL cases has increased as more children participate in sports as well as sports training. The study also revealed that ACL injuries may also develop degenerative knee arthritis in the long term.
LaBella also suggests that pediatricians, coaches and athletes should be aware of the importance of training as it prevents not only ACL tear, but also helps avoid other leg-related injuries.
