How Do Neuromuscular Training Programs Prevent ACL Tears?

Question: How Do Neuromuscular Training Programs Prevent ACL Tears?

Answer: Stability of the knee is dependent on different factors. The two most important are the static and the dynamic stabilizers of the knee.

• Static Stabilizers
  The static stabilizers are the four major ligaments of the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

• Dynamic Stabilizers
  The dynamic stabilizers of the knee are the muscles and tendons that surround the joint. These muscles and tendons are controlled by what's known as neuromuscular input, the unconscious activation of these structures to control the position of the joint.

Neuromuscular training is used to teach your body better habits for knee stability. By training how your knee moves, especially when jumping, landing, and pivoting, you can maintain a more stable position of the knee joint. Several studies have shown that neuromuscular training programs can reduce the chance of an ACL injury.

One of the better known neuromuscular training programs, the Prevent Injury, and Enhance Performance program (commonly known as the PEP program), was developed at the Santa Monica Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Research Foundation. A copy of the PEP program can be found online:

PEP Program

_Sources:

Griffin LY, et al. "Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., May/June 2000; 8: 141 - 150.