08/06/2025
๐โโ๏ธ๐ฅ The Ever-So-Scary ACL Tear ๐ฅ๐โโ๏ธ
What Every Athlete (and Parent) Should Know
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears are one of the most feared injuries in sports โ and for good reason. They often occur during sudden stops, pivots, or awkward landings, common in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and football.
๐บ Did You Know?
Female athletes are up to 6x more likely to tear their ACLs than males, especially in sports like soccer and basketball.
This is due to a mix of anatomy, muscle imbalances, and movement patterns โ but the good news? Itโs preventable.
๐๏ธโโ๏ธ Exercises That Help Prevent ACL Injuries:
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Glute bridges โ Strengthen the posterior chain
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Single-leg squats โ Improve knee control
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Lateral band walks โ Fire up the glutes
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Jump & land mechanics โ Practice soft, controlled landings
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Hamstring curls โ Balance quad dominance
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Balance drills โ Enhance joint stability
Adding these into regular warm-ups or training sessions can lower injury risk significantly โ especially for young female athletes.
๐ At-Home ACL Function Test:
Try a single-leg hop test or drop jump test:
Stand on one leg, hop forward, land, and try to hold your balance.
Drop off a small box (8โ12 inches), land, and observe your knees โ do they collapse inward?
If balance is poor, or the knees buckle inward on landing, this may signal increased risk for ACL injury โ and itโs a sign to start preventive training or get a movement screening.
๐ฅ How ProActiv PT Can Help:
We offer ACL injury risk screenings, sport-specific strength programs, and cutting-edge treatments like dry needling and shockwave therapy to support rehab and performance.
Whether it's prevention or recovery, our team will guide you every step of the way.
๐ซ Donโt let an ACL tear sideline your season โ take action now!
๐ 419-532-3337
๐ www.proactivtherapy.com