Does Strength Training Decrease the Risk of Sports Related Knee Injury?

The knee is the most common joint affected by sports-related injuries, with approximately 2.5 million cases treated annually in the US alone, alongside 2 million worldwide ACL repairs. Among athletes engaged in contact sports like football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball, ACL tears are the primary injury concern. In non-contact sports, particularly running, meniscus tears are commonly experienced. A notable 23% of college athletes encounter knee injuries to varying degrees. Many risk factors have been identified including patient sex, activity type, and body composition, justifying the need for individualized preventive measures. Various strength training protocols have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of ACL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar tendinopathy pain. Enhancements in muscle activation ratios and biomechanical parameters resulting from strength training contribute to ACL injury risk reduction. Both male and female athletes have benefited in injury risk reduction from strength training, yet the optimal protocol remains undetermined. Nonetheless, diverse training methodologies yield risk reduction benefits, regardless of the onset age of strength training. While knee injuries pose a significant burden in sports, targeted strength training interventions offer promising avenues for injury prevention. Further research is warranted to find optimal training variety, frequency, and intensity and their effects across different athlete demographics.