TRAINING PROGRAMS TO REDUCE ACL INJURY RISK IN SOCCER PLAYERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Keywords:
soccer; anterior cruciate ligament; injury prevention; neuromuscular training; systematic reviewAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0454
Abstract
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a relevant problem in soccer because of their functional and sporting consequences. The objective was to analyze the effects of preventive training programs on ACL injury incidence and on biomechanical or neuromuscular factors associated with injury risk in soccer players. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020. Searches were updated in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Dialnet, and Google Scholar for publications from January 2021 to August 2026 in Spanish or English. Eight primary intervention studies were included. Most assessed indirect outcomes, including hip and knee kinematics, landing quality, change-of-direction mechanics, neuromuscular control, and strength ratios; only one study assessed ACL injury incidence directly. Multicomponent programs, FIFA 11+/FIFA 11+ Kids, PEP, neuromuscular training, and technique-modification interventions showed favorable but heterogeneous effects. Direct evidence was limited; however, continuous FIFA 11+ implementation over three seasons was associated with a lower incidence of noncontact ACL injuries. These interventions appear to modify relevant risk factors, although longer prospective studies are required to confirm preventive effectiveness.
Keywords: soccer; anterior cruciate ligament; injury prevention; neuromuscular training; systematic review.
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