NWSL Teams Up with WSL in Groundbreaking ACL Injury Research Effort
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is embarking on a significant three-year research project in collaboration with the Women's Super League (WSL) and the global players' union Fifpro, aimed at tackling the high rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women's soccer. This initiative, known as Project ACL x NWSL, expands upon a similar effort launched in England in 2024, involving all 16 NWSL clubs, including defending champion Gotham FC, to delve into the multifaceted causes behind these injuries.
Holistic Approach to a Persistent Problem
ACL injuries are notably more prevalent in women's sports, occurring two to six times more frequently than in men. While biological differences have often been cited as a primary factor, this project adopts a comprehensive perspective, examining environmental and societal influences. Key areas of focus include pitch conditions, access to weight-room facilities, schedule congestion, and the quality of cleats designed for female athletes. Tori Huster, deputy executive director of the NWSL Players Association, emphasized the importance of looking beyond individual players to assess the daily training and competition environments, aiming to generate player-centric evidence that can drive meaningful changes across the sport.
High-Profile Cases and Research Gaps
The urgency for this research was highlighted in the lead-up to major tournaments like the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics, where star players such as England's Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, the Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema, and the United States' Catarina Macario missed out due to ACL tears. Australia's Sam Kerr and Germany's Lena Oberdorf also faced similar setbacks, with Kerr returning after nearly 20 months and Oberdorf suffering a re-injury shortly after her comeback. Despite existing studies pointing to biological risks—such as wider hips, narrower knee structures, and muscle imbalances—less than 10% of sports science research is dedicated to women, often focusing on amateur rather than professional athletes.
Expanding the Scope of Investigation
Project ACL is pioneering in its multi-league approach, seeking to address gaps in understanding by considering factors like reduced participation in strength training among girls and women, the impact of artificial turf, and fatigue from an increasingly packed match calendar. Since its inception in 2024, the project has conducted interviews with over 30 players and surveyed all 12 WSL clubs on resources and prevention strategies, with plans to extend this to NWSL teams. Players will utilize Fifpro's workload monitoring tool to track travel, recovery, and performance data, potentially leading to standardized injury-prevention protocols similar to those for concussions.
Commitment to Player Health and League Leadership
Dr. Alex Culvin, Fifpro's director of women's football, stressed that player-centricity and stakeholder collaboration are crucial for effecting real change in soccer. Sarah Gregorius, NWSL vice-president of sporting, echoed this sentiment, stating that investing in this research is fundamental to the league's future, as it aims to create supportive environments where athletes can perform at their peak. This initiative represents a proactive step toward reducing ACL injuries and enhancing the overall well-being of women soccer players worldwide.
