Pilot Study to See if There is a Improvement in Landing Techniques After a 9 Week Strenghtening Program, Which May Decrease ACL Tears in Female Athletes

The purpose of this research program is to use Dartfish technology and Functional Movement Screen to assess female athletes pre- and post injury prevention program.The study will include ninety-four females: forty-seven who complete a nine week program focusing on neuromuscular and proprioceptive exercises to improve landing techniques, and forty-seven who go about their normal preseason training regimen. This program has no more risk than if each athlete were to work out at their own gym. Each athlete will be given two questionnaires before and after completing the program in order to determine their level of activity has changed as well as uncover any underlying knee issues. Participants will also go through a series of functional and movement tests to reveal any imbalances, and determine whether or not they have improved by going through the prevention program.

All functional and movement tests will be video recorded. These recordings will only be used for the purpose of conducting this research study and will only be viewed by the HFHS investigators participating in the study. We will follow-up with each athlete one year later to see if there are any lasting effects from the program and re-test each athlete at that time to validate any results