This prospective cohort study tested whether deficits in trunk (core) neuromuscular control predict future knee ligament and ACL injury in collegiate athletes. Researchers measured trunk displacement after sudden force release in 277 athletes, then tracked knee injuries over 3 years. It examined whether coronal-plane control matters most and whether prediction differs by sex.
When you screen an athlete for ACL injury risk, the trunk matters, not just the knee. This study frames a mental model: poor core control allows uncontrolled trunk displacement, which drives the lower extremity into valgus, raising knee abduction torque and ligament strain.
The coronal plane is the key one to watch because lateral trunk displacement predicts ligament injury best, mirroring the valgus collapse mechanism seen in female ACL tears. A history of low back pain is a simple, high-value screening variable, independently predictive in both sexes.
The evidence is prospective (Level 2), which is a real strength, but the injury count is low and the testing posture is non-functional (restrained pelvis, semiseated). Weight the sex-specific finding accordingly. This supports adding core stability and proprioceptive work to prevention programs, consistent with the 72% ACL injury reduction Hewett reported with neuromuscular training.
This prospective cohort study tested whether deficits in trunk (core) neuromuscular control predict future knee ligament and ACL injury in collegiate athletes. Researchers measured trunk displacement after sudden force release in 277 athletes, then tracked knee injuries over 3 years. It examined whether coronal-plane control matters most and whether prediction differs by sex.
When you screen an athlete for ACL injury risk, the trunk matters, not just the knee. This study frames a mental model: poor core control allows uncontrolled trunk displacement, which drives the lower extremity into valgus, raising knee abduction torque and ligament strain.
The coronal plane is the key one to watch because lateral trunk displacement predicts ligament injury best, mirroring the valgus collapse mechanism seen in female ACL tears. A history of low back pain is a simple, high-value screening variable, independently predictive in both sexes.
The evidence is prospective (Level 2), which is a real strength, but the injury count is low and the testing posture is non-functional (restrained pelvis, semiseated). Weight the sex-specific finding accordingly. This supports adding core stability and proprioceptive work to prevention programs, consistent with the 72% ACL injury reduction Hewett reported with neuromuscular training.