An Open Label Study on the Effects of a Prevention Protocol for Improving Knee Strength and Performance to Reduce the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common sports injuries. Recent studies connect ACL reconstruction with long-term complications, knee joint degeneration, and osteoarthritis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of the Knakontroll ACL prevention protocol on the mechanical risk factors of developing non-contact ACL injuries among female athletes. Methods: Thirty females aged between 18 to 35 years playing different sports at an amateur level participated voluntarily. Tuck jump, static balance, dynamic balance, and hop tests were tested pre-intervention, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. The Knäkontroll ACL prevention program was performed thrice per week for four weeks. Instructions and videos were delivered via video calls (remotely) in the first session of each week, and the remaining two sessions were done as a home program. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive statics (mean and standard deviation), repeated-measures ANOVA, and means of difference were calculated. Results: The significant improvements for all the tests was shown after the fourth week, (static balance with eyes open (Mean ± standard deviation, 163 ± 42.50 sec, Mean of Difference (MD) = 114 sec, 95% CI [102.45, 125.60], P