Balance Blog

If you know more than one or two female athletes, more than likely you’ve probably heard the words “I tore my ACL.” Why? Well, research has shown that young female athletes are three to times as likely as boys to tear an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

To help combat this seemingly growing epidemic, Balance Gym Kalorama recently launched a class for a traveling girls soccer team who wanted to learn how to propely protect their knees.

The girls are now strengthening their legs with resistence belts, toning their core through sit-ups and learning to land softley by jumping off truck tires.

This unique way of training caught the attention of the Washington Post, which recently profiled the class. The article says that “girls who take part in such programs can reduce their chances of injury by as much as 88 percent compared with those who don’t”

Check out Lenny Bernstein’s article here!

If you’re looking to strengthen your ACL, The American Council on Exercise (ACE) suggests performing closed-chain exercises (for example, leg presses, squats, lunges) as part of your strength-training program. Also, do some cross-training in your cardiovascular workout using the stairclimber, stationary bike, elliptical trainer or ski machine.

For ACE’s Top Six Exercises for Preventing ACL Injuries, click here.