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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a major concern in female soccer players, with change of direction (COD) movements being a key contributor to non-contact injuries. Traditional injury prevention programs have shown limited effectiveness in addressing individual biomechanical deficits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 10-week unilateral strength training program on COD mechanics and ACL injury risk factors. Methods: Eleven female soccer players participated in a pre–post intervention study. Movement mechanics was assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS) at 45°, 75°, and 90° angles. The training program included unilateral lower limb strengthening exercises designed to enhance neuromuscular control and reduce biomechanical risk factors. Risk profiles were analyzed before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and effect size calculations. Results: Significant improvements in CMAS scores were observed at all COD angles (p < 0.05), with the largest effect at 90° (Cohen’s d = 2.1). The percentage of high-risk players decreased from 82% to 0%, while the proportion of low-risk players increased from 36% to 73%. Improved knee alignment, foot placement, and trunk stability were key contributors to the observed movement enhancements. Conclusions: Unilateral strength training may effectively improve COD mechanics and reduces biomechanical risk factors associated with ACL injuries in female soccer players. Our findings suggest that individualized training interventions can influence current injury prevention strategies.

Details

Title
Can Unilateral Strength Training Optimize Change of Direction Mechanics and Mitigate Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk in Female Soccer Players? A Preliminary Pre–Post Intervention Study
Author
Rogalski, Alice 1 ; Moiroux-Sahraoui Ayrton 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Stergiou, Maria 3 ; Pieulhet Maxence 4 ; Douryang Maurice 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Forelli Florian 6   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Racing Club de Lens, CTS La Gaillette, 62065 Avion, France; [email protected], Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Évry Paris-Saclay University, 91090 Évry-Courcouronnes, France 
 Orthosport Rehab Center, 95330 Domont, France; [email protected], Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Clinic of Domont, Ramsay Healthcare, @OrthoLab, 95330 Domont, France 
 Department of Sports Medicine, Universidad Europa de Madrid-Real Madrid, 28005 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] 
 Olympique Lyonnais Academy, 69282 Meyzieu, France; [email protected] 
 Department of Physiotherapy and Physical Medicine, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 96, Cameroon; [email protected] 
 Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Clinic of Domont, Ramsay Healthcare, @OrthoLab, 95330 Domont, France, Haute-Ecole Arc Santé, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland, Société Française des Masseurs—Kinésithérapeutes du Sport Lab, 93380 Pierrefite sur Seine, France 
First page
135
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20754663
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3212110137
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.