Abstract des Autors

Studies have shown that female athletes are 2-3 times more likely than male athletes to sustain noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, especially in soccer and basketball programs. As one of the main ligaments in the knee capsule, the ACL stabilizes the knee and connects the back of the front of the tibia. ACL injuries usually occur when an athlete twists the knee beyond its normal range of motion while pivoting, cutting, twisting, jumping, or running. These injuries tend to increase in college, because the transition from high school to collegiate competition is more demanding. Upper level competition requires an increase in neuromuscular conditioning because the athlete's lateral, linear, and vertical movement must be more precise, explosive, and automatic. Many female high school soccer athletes keep in shape by just taking part in their chosen sport. While this repetition of specific skills may make them better players, to be competitive at the college level they must become better athletes. Core strength, overall force production, stability, balance, lateral quickness, vertical power, and first-step reaction are all desirable athletic qualities that are integral to the game of soccer. These qualities may be increased through speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) training. The inclusion of functional training that focuses on sport-specific drills and plyometrics that focus on improving explosiveness may assist in the overall athletic conditioning of female soccer players. Using this type of training, a minimum of 3 workouts a week for 8-12 weeks will result in significant improvements in an athlete's performance, while programs as short as 4 weeks may also provide some performance increase. It is advisable for athletes to be currently involved in a strength-training program prior to implementing SAQ training. In addition, individuals with low skill levels (little to no experience) may require slower program progression and the use of higher volumes with lower intensities. This paper identifies a program that may help to condition the lower body of inexperienced female soccer athletes for the rigors of collegiate competition while decreasing their chances of an ACL injury. By implementing the use of SAQ, functional, and plyometric training principles, the low-skilled female soccer athlete many be better prepared for high-level play. Verf.-Referat