Effects of the Sportsmetrics\u3csup\u3eTM\u3c/sup\u3e Exercise Program on Landing Mechanics in Female U-11 Soccer Players

The incidence of ACL injuries is an estimated two to eight times greater in female athletes as compared to their male counterparts (Harmon and Ireland, 2000). Hewett, Stroupe, Nance and Noyes (1996), reported a reduction in impact forces, along with abduction and adduction moments at the knee, following six-weeks of plyometric training in female high school volleyball players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine lower extremity kinematics and kinetics following a program of warm-up for injury prevention and performance (WIPPTM). The hypothesis was that there will be no difference in landing mechanics between pre-test and post-test in two groups of female U-11 soccer players with one group completing the 8-week duration (2 days/week) WIPPTM program and the other serving as a control group. Three teams (21 subjects) of female U-11 soccer teams were recruited to participate in the study. One team was randomly assigned to participate in the training program (n=12) and the other teams served as a control group (n=9). Lower extremity movement during landing after jumping off a 12-inch box and immediately going into a vertical jumps was analyzed using the SportsmetricsTM Valgus Digitizing Software. No significant changes in knee separation values were observed. The results indicate eight weeks of WIPPTM training did not alter landing strategies