Teen Knee Injuries Rise 26%

Knees are the levers of life, the joints that unlock physical activity habits into adulthood. The trend in high school sports is not good: ACL injuries among high school athletes have grown 26% over the past 15 years, according to new research developed by leading organizations in the National ACL Injury Coalition. Read our report.


Let’s Team Up

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries have devastating consequences for thousands of youth each year and deserve to be treated as a public health crisis. The Aspen Institute and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have partnered to form the first national coalition to reduce ACL injuries. Learn about the problem and find ways you can take action today.

A rupture of the ACL can threaten a young person’s future in sport and physical activity. Major surgery is required and involves high healthcare costs, significant risk of financial burden, a long difficult recovery, psychological impacts, long-term knee pain, and serious risk of knee replacement.

FEMALES
4x more likely in sex-comparable sports

CUTTING AND LANDING SPORTS
Soccer, football, basketball
and lacrosse face greatest risk

UNDERSERVED YOUTH
Less access to healthcare can increase risk of injury and financial burden

The risk of non-contact ACL injury can be dramatically reduced. Targeted exercises done regularly can improve lower body strength and control, allowing athletes to change speed and direction more safely. This neuromuscular training is associated with fewer injuries, improved athleticism and team performance.

COACHES
Build your knowledge of ACL injury with free courses and make neuromuscular training a daily ritual with your team.

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PARENTS
Stay informed of risk factors and support neuromuscular training for your child.


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