OSR’s ACL Injury Prevention Program is designed to help
young athletes avoid non-contact ACL injuries as well as improve their overall performance.
ACL injuries occur at a staggering rate. Research shows that 1 in every 100
high school participants will experience an ACL injury. Of those injuries, 70% are non-contact
injuries. Moreover, females are 5-10 times more likely to suffer ACL
tears than males. The frequency upon which these ACL incidences occur is
alarming for our young athletes. An ACL
injury presents unique treatment obstacles and is of a severity that implicates
the athlete’s future for years to come.
young athletes avoid non-contact ACL injuries as well as improve their overall performance.
ACL injuries occur at a staggering rate. Research shows that 1 in every 100
high school participants will experience an ACL injury. Of those injuries, 70% are non-contact
injuries. Moreover, females are 5-10 times more likely to suffer ACL
tears than males. The frequency upon which these ACL incidences occur is
alarming for our young athletes. An ACL
injury presents unique treatment obstacles and is of a severity that implicates
the athlete’s future for years to come.
OVERVIEW OF OSR’S PROGRAM
As a full-service physical therapy clinic, OSR strives to
provide its patients with the type of preventative care related to ACL
injuries. OSR’s ACL Injury Prevention
Program has been designed specifically for female athletes and has demonstrated
a 74% decrease in ACL injuries.
provide its patients with the type of preventative care related to ACL
injuries. OSR’s ACL Injury Prevention
Program has been designed specifically for female athletes and has demonstrated
a 74% decrease in ACL injuries.
OSR utilizes the Sportsmetrics program to increase knee
stability, alignment and strength. Sportsmetrics is the first ACL injury prevention
program scientifically-proven to help young athletes avoid non-contact ACL
injuries and improve performance.
stability, alignment and strength. Sportsmetrics is the first ACL injury prevention
program scientifically-proven to help young athletes avoid non-contact ACL
injuries and improve performance.
OSR’s Sportsmetrics Program begins with an initial
evaluation of each individual to determine specific athletic strengths and
weaknesses. This evaluation will provide a baseline for the program’s design.
Each athlete will be screened using video analysis for landing, cutting and
jumping techniques. As these measurements continue to increase, we see a direct
correlation of injury decrease.
evaluation of each individual to determine specific athletic strengths and
weaknesses. This evaluation will provide a baseline for the program’s design.
Each athlete will be screened using video analysis for landing, cutting and
jumping techniques. As these measurements continue to increase, we see a direct
correlation of injury decrease.
There are three phases to OSR’s Sportsmetrics program:
- Dynamic
Warm-up: Prepares the body with functional-based activities that use
sport-specific motions. It raises core body temperature, increases blood
flow to the muscles and improves flexibility, balance and coordination. - Plyometrics/Jump
Training: Plyometrics, the core of the Sportsmetrics™ program, correct an
athlete’s jumping technique. This
phase is divided into three two-week phases. Each phase has a different
training focus and the exercises change accordingly. Plyometrics develop the
muscle control and strength critical for reducing the risk of knee injury
and increasing jump height. - Speed and
Agility Training: Emphasizes body alignment and form through the use of sprinting
exercises and cutting movements. The goal of speed and agility training is
to condition and increase skill level to empower the athlete so he or she
can continue performing at his or her optimal level.
OSR’s Sportsmetrics Program consists of
approximately 45-60 minute sessions at a frequency of three days per week for
six weeks. Programs of this kind are
scientifically proven to provide maximum preventative benefit. We pride
ourselves on the fact that our program facilitates a uniquely individualized
program that will increase an athlete’s overall strength, power, explosiveness,
body position and neuromuscular control, improving the athlete’s overall
performance.
approximately 45-60 minute sessions at a frequency of three days per week for
six weeks. Programs of this kind are
scientifically proven to provide maximum preventative benefit. We pride
ourselves on the fact that our program facilitates a uniquely individualized
program that will increase an athlete’s overall strength, power, explosiveness,
body position and neuromuscular control, improving the athlete’s overall
performance.
IMPROVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE TRACKING
Each athlete will be evaluated on the
first and last day of the 6-week training period. This analysis includes video
analysis which investigates an athlete’s knee position in relation to the hips
and ankles. This is a critical component to the program, which works to align
the hips, knees and ankles promoting the same width between these body parts during
all activities. This alignment decreases
the risk of an ACL injury.
first and last day of the 6-week training period. This analysis includes video
analysis which investigates an athlete’s knee position in relation to the hips
and ankles. This is a critical component to the program, which works to align
the hips, knees and ankles promoting the same width between these body parts during
all activities. This alignment decreases
the risk of an ACL injury.
Unfortunately, especially in young
athletes, this alignment is not naturally present. Each athlete will receive an individualized
analysis that tracks his or her performance from the beginning of the program
to the end. The printout below is an example of the tracking methods provided
as part of the OSR Program.
athletes, this alignment is not naturally present. Each athlete will receive an individualized
analysis that tracks his or her performance from the beginning of the program
to the end. The printout below is an example of the tracking methods provided
as part of the OSR Program.
The severity of an ACL injury
necessitates a proactive approach to preventative measures. OSR seeks to
protect its patients from these injuries by utilizing one of the most renowned
programs, Sportsmetrics, providing an individualized program for each athlete,
and tracking the athlete’s progress to encourage peak performance.
necessitates a proactive approach to preventative measures. OSR seeks to
protect its patients from these injuries by utilizing one of the most renowned
programs, Sportsmetrics, providing an individualized program for each athlete,
and tracking the athlete’s progress to encourage peak performance.
This article was written by Brian Ommen, DPT. Brian works out of our Chanhassen office.
