Prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female soccer Effectiveness and adherence to the FIFA 11+ protocol

Main Article Content

Claudia Barbato
Danilo Bruni
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6405-9787
Roberta Giorgio
Andrea Pantalone
Rosa Grazia Bellomo

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention protocols and rehabilitation strategies, particularly through the implementation of the FIFA 11+ program. Throughout the process, a detailed analysis of each athlete's physical condition was conducted, considering both previous injuries and potential muscular or joint weaknesses. This personalized approach allowed for the identification of specific prevention needs and the adoption of targeted interventions, aiming to reduce the risk of new injuries, especially in the most vulnerable joints, such as the knee and ankle. The study did not solely focus on the application of prevention protocols but also involved continuous comparison with historical data from previous seasons. This comparison enabled an objective assessment of the effectiveness of the adopted programs by measuring their impact not only in terms of injury reduction but also in the overall improvement of the athletes' physical performance and health.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section

Sport Medicine, Nutrition & Health

Author Biographies

Claudia Barbato, University of Study of Urbino Carlo Bo

Department of Biomolecular Sciences.

Danilo Bruni, University of Study G. d’Annunzio

Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences.

Roberta Giorgio, University of Study G. d’Annunzio

Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences.

Andrea Pantalone, University of Study G. d’Annunzio

Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences.

Rosa Grazia Bellomo, Lum University

Department of Medicine and Surgery.

How to Cite

Barbato, C., Bruni, D., Giorgio, R., Pantalone, A., & Bellomo, R. G. (2025). Prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female soccer: Effectiveness and adherence to the FIFA 11+ protocol. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise , 21(1), 338-348. https://doi.org/10.55860/xm1gsn52

References

Balki, S., Göktaş, H. E., & Öztemur, Z. (2016). Kinesio taping as a treatment method in the acute phase of ACL reconstruction: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica, 50(6), 628–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aott.2016.03.005

Brophy, R. H., Wojtys, E. M., Mack, C. D., Hawaldar, K., Herzog, M. M., & Owens, B. D. (2021). Factors Associated With the Mechanism of ACL Tears in the National Football League: A Video-Based Analysis. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 9(11), 23259671211053301. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671211053301

Brotzman, S. B., Manske, R. C., & Daugherty, K. (2011). Clinical orthopaedic rehabilitation : an evidence-based approach (3rd ed.). Elsevier/Mosby.

Dodds, A. L., Gupte, C. M., Neyret, P., Williams, A. M., & Amis, A. A. (2011). Extra-articular techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a literature review. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume, 93(11), 1440–1448. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.93B11.27632

Eitzen, I., Moksnes, H., Snyder-Mackler, L., & Risberg, M. A. (2010). A progressive 5-week exercise therapy program leads to significant improvement in knee function early after anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 40(11), 705–721. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2010.3345

Gokeler, A., Bisschop, M., Benjaminse, A., Myer, G. D., Eppinga, P., & Otten, E. (2014). Quadriceps function following ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation: implications for optimisation of current practices. Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 22(5), 1163–1174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2577-x

Grindem, H., Snyder-Mackler, L., Moksnes, H., Engebretsen, L., & Risberg, M. A. (2016). Simple decision rules can reduce reinjury risk by 84% after ACL reconstruction: the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort study. British journal of sports medicine, 50(13), 804–808. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096031

Kapandji Adalbert Ibrahim, Pagani P. A. (cur.) (2011). Anatomia funzionale. Monduzzi.

Kim, K. M., Croy, T., Hertel, J., & Saliba, S. (2010). Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on quadriceps strength, function, and patient-oriented outcomes: a systematic review. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 40(7), 383–391. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2010.3184

Kocher, M. S., Sterett, W. I., Briggs, K. K., Zurakowski, D., & Steadman, J. R. (2003). Effect of functional bracing on subsequent knee injury in ACL-deficient professional skiers. The journal of knee surgery, 16(2), 87–92.

Konrads, C., Reppenhagen, S., Belder, D., Goebel, S., Rudert, M., & Barthel, T. (2016). Long-term outcome of anterior cruciate ligament tear without reconstruction: a longitudinal prospective study. International orthopaedics, 40(11), 2325–2330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-016-3294-0

Lambson, Rick B, Barnhill, Bill S, & Higgins, Robert W. (1996). Football Cleat Design and Its Effect on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Three-Year Prospective Study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 24(2), 155–159. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659602400206

Meuffels, D. E., Poldervaart, M. T., Diercks, R. L., Fievez, A. W., Patt, T. W., Hart, C. P., Hammacher, E. R., Meer, F.v, Goedhart, E. A., Lenssen, A. F., Muller-Ploeger, S. B., Pols, M. A., & Saris, D. B. (2012). Guideline on anterior cruciate ligament injury. Acta orthopaedica, 83(4), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.3109/17453674.2012.704563

Meyers, A. B., Haims, A. H., Menn, K., & Moukaddam, H. (2010). Imaging of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair and Its Complications. American Journal of Roentgenology, 194(2), 476–484. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.09.3200

Musahl, V., Nazzal, E. M., Lucidi, G. A., Serrano, R., Hughes, J. D., Margheritini, F., Zaffagnini, S., Fu, F. H., & Karlsson, J. (2022). Current trends in the anterior cruciate ligament part 1: biology and biomechanics. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 30(1), 1795. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06826-y

Myer, G. D., Schmitt, L. C., Brent, J. L., Ford, K. R., Barber Foss, K. D., Scherer, B. J., Heidt, R. S., Jr, Divine, J. G., & Hewett, T. E. (2011). Utilization of modified NFL combine testing to identify functional deficits in athletes following ACL reconstruction. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 41(6), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2011.3547

Ortopedia clinica e ricerca correlata (1976-2007): marzo/aprile 1980 - Volume 147 - Numero - ppg 7-14.

Parsons, J. L., Coen, S. E., & Bekker, S. (2021). Anterior cruciate ligament injury: Towards a gendered environmental approach. British Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103173

Prentice, W. E. (2004). Rehabilitation techniques for sports medicine and athletic training (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Suter, E., Herzog, W., & Bray, R. (2001). Quadriceps Activation during Knee Extension Exercises in Patients with ACL Pathologies. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 17(2), 87-102. Retrieved Dec 4, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.17.2.87

van Grinsven, S., van Cingel, R. E., Holla, C. J., & van Loon, C. J. (2010). Evidence-based rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 18(8), 1128–1144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-1027-2

Wright, R. W., Preston, E., Fleming, B. C., Amendola, A., Andrish, J. T., Bergfeld, J. A., Dunn, W. R., Kaeding, C., Kuhn, J. E., Marx, R. G., McCarty, E. C., Parker, R. C., Spindler, K. P., Wolcott, M., Wolf, B. R., & Williams, G. N. (2008). A systematic review of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation: part I: continuous passive motion, early weight bearing, postoperative bracing, and home-based rehabilitation. The journal of knee surgery, 21(3), 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1247822

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)