Can a Strength and Technique Intervention Reduce Knee Abduction Moment in Young Female Handball Players

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury constitutes the largest problem in female elite ball/team sport today, due to its relatively high incidence and serious short- and long-term consequences. Especially in handball, these injuries typically occur in actions that are essential for the game, i.e. landings and cutting maneuvers, imposing a challenge for risk reduction strategies. Although knowledge about risk factors is constantly increasing and ACL injury prevention programs have been successful in reducing injuries in rigorous scientific study settings, the real-world injury incidence remains high, and even continues to increase. The purpose of this explorative intervention study is to assess the effect of an eight-week strength and technique training in female handball players and its influence on ACL-specific risk factors, especially knee abduction moment (KAM). The results are compared with a control group that did not do the specially designed technique/muscle training.

Inclusion Criteria:Female handball players between the ages of 15 and 18 who go to a sports school in OsloConsent by the players, in the case of age below 16 years by their parentsMatch fitness on test dayExclusion Criteria:- History of ACL injury in the last 6 months before baseline testing