Are We Doing Enough? Implementing Screening Tools and Prevention Programs to Reduce ACL Injuries Across High School Sports

Work Type

Poster

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a significant concern in high school athletics and remain one of the most frequently occurring sports-related injuries in the United States, affecting more than 200,000 individuals each year.1 Nearly 70% of these injuries occur through non-contact mechanisms and are especially common in sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. 1-2Despite evidence showing that structured prevention programs can reduce ACL injury rates by 40–70%, these programs remain insufficiently implemented across many high school athletic programs.

Even with strong evidence supporting ACL injury prevention programs, implementation within high school athletics remains as low as 12-20% nationally and 4% in rural areas.3-4This due to limited education, resources, and awareness among coaches and athletes. This project addressed the research question: How can evidence-based screening tools and prevention programs be effectively implemented to reduce non-contact ACL injuries in high school athletes?

The purpose of this capstone project was to evaluate current evidence regarding ACL screening tools and prevention programs while developing educational resources, including a screening tool, prevention module, and athlete handout. These resources were designed to improve awareness and educate coaches and athletic staff on the implementation of ACL injury prevention strategies within high school athletics.

Publication Date

5-17-2026

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