08/06/2025
🏃♀️💥 The Ever-So-Scary ACL Tear 💥🏃♂️
What Every Athlete (and Parent) Should Know
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears are one of the most feared injuries in sports — and for good reason. They often occur during sudden stops, pivots, or awkward landings, common in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and football.
🚺 Did You Know?
Female athletes are up to 6x more likely to tear their ACLs than males, especially in sports like soccer and basketball.
This is due to a mix of anatomy, muscle imbalances, and movement patterns — but the good news? It’s preventable.
🏋️♀️ Exercises That Help Prevent ACL Injuries:
✅ Glute bridges – Strengthen the posterior chain
✅ Single-leg squats – Improve knee control
✅ Lateral band walks – Fire up the glutes
✅ Jump & land mechanics – Practice soft, controlled landings
✅ Hamstring curls – Balance quad dominance
✅ Balance drills – Enhance joint stability
Adding these into regular warm-ups or training sessions can lower injury risk significantly — especially for young female athletes.
🏠 At-Home ACL Function Test:
Try a single-leg hop test or drop jump test:
Stand on one leg, hop forward, land, and try to hold your balance.
Drop off a small box (8–12 inches), land, and observe your knees — do they collapse inward?
If balance is poor, or the knees buckle inward on landing, this may signal increased risk for ACL injury — and it’s a sign to start preventive training or get a movement screening.
🏥 How ProActiv PT Can Help:
We offer ACL injury risk screenings, sport-specific strength programs, and cutting-edge treatments like dry needling and shockwave therapy to support rehab and performance.
Whether it's prevention or recovery, our team will guide you every step of the way.
🚫 Don’t let an ACL tear sideline your season — take action now!
📞 419-532-3337
🌐 www.proactivtherapy.com
