Nearly a million anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur each year worldwide, causing long-term problems in the knee joint. This textbook examines the short- and long-term impacts of ACL injuries on the basis of hundreds of published studies. Risk factors for such injuries are explored using data from hypothesis-driven investigations, and possible causes of the higher risk of noncontact ACL injuries in female athletes are analyzed. Neuromuscular training programs shown to reduce the rate of these injuries in female athletes are described in step-by-step detail with the aid of numerous color photographs and video demonstrations. In addition, detailed descriptions are provided for rehabilitation programs to be used after ACL reconstruction in order to reduce the risk of a future injury. The book will be of value to orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine primary care physicians, and strength and conditioning specialists.

Introduction: The ACL: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Mechanisms of Injury, and the Gender Disparity. The Impact of ACL Injuries: Short- and Long-Term Effects on the Knee Joint: Consequences of Complete ACL Ruptures

ACL Reconstruction: Chondroprotective Effects, Risks of Reinjury. Proposed Risk Factors of Noncontact ACL Injuries: Role of Shoe-Surface Interaction and Noncontact ACL Injuries
Neuromuscular Differences Between Men and Women
Gender Differences in Muscular Protection of the Knee
Effects of Alterations in Gait Mechanics on the Development of Osteoarthritis in the ACL-Deficient Knee
Analysis of Male and Female Athletes' Muscle Activation Patterns During Running, Cutting, and Jumping
Proximal Risk Factors for ACL Injury: Role of Core Stability
Proximal Risk Factors for ACL Injury: Role of the Hip
Gender Differences in Core Strength and Lower Extremity Function During the Single-leg Squat Test
Gender Effect of Fatigue on Lower Extremity Kinematics and Kinetics During Athletic Tasks
Testing for Neuromuscular Problems and Athletic Performance. ACL Injury Prevention Programs: Sportsmetrics ACL Intervention Training Program: Components, Results
Sports-Specific Programs for Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis
ACL Injury Prevention in Soccer: The Santa Monica Experience
ACL Injury Prevention Warm-up Programs
Effect of Intervention Programs on Reducing the Incidence of ACL Injuries, Improving Neuromuscular Deficiencies, and Enhancing Athletic Performance. Reducing the Risk of Reinjury After ACL Reconstruction: Rehabilitation After ACL Reconstruction
Restoration of Proprioception and Neuromuscular Control Following ACL Injury and Surgery. Future Directions : Promotion of ACL Intervention Training Worldwide
What We Know and Goals for Future Research.