The Effects of a Novel Core Stability Training Program on Neuromuscular Anterior Cruciate Ligament Risk Factors in Female Collegiate Soccer Players

Anterior cruciate ligaments injuries make up nearly half of all lower extremity injuries in sports. Female athletes, particularly those involved in soccer, are at even higher risk of injury than their male counterparts due to neuromuscular, physiological, and anatomical risk factor differences. Poor neuromuscular control of the core can cause poor mechanics of the lower extremity leading to an increased risk of ACL injury. Biomechanical variables such as vertical ground reaction force, knee abduction moments, and knee flexion during a side-cut are key risk factors that can be altered by a core stability training intervention. A 3-Dimensional analysis of these variables during a 90° side-cut task was conducted across three time points (pre, mid, post-training program). Subjects (n = 9) were randomly assigned to either the control (n = 4) or intervention (n = 5) group. Plank tests were also conducted at each testing session to assess core stability. The intervention group participated in three sessions a week for a duration of 8 weeks of core stability training. No significant differences were seen in peak knee flexion, peak abduction moment, vertical ground reaction force, and plank times (p = 0.876, p = 0.369, p = 0.748, p = 0.057, respectively). On a case-by-case basis, the intervention group had minor biomechanical improvements similar to previous research, but a limited sample size may not be a true reflection of the positive effects the intervention could have had with a larger sample size