On Wednesday, the NWSL Players Association and the NWSL revealed their participation in Project ACL, an initiative aimed at decreasing anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women’s professional soccer.
This player-centered research will commence in June and continue for three years, after which the findings will be analyzed to enhance understanding of how to mitigate ACL injuries.
Research indicates that ACL injuries are twice as prevalent in women compared to men, with approximately two-thirds of these injuries in women’s soccer occurring without any contact from another player.
“The NWSLPA is honored to be part of Project ACL, which unites players, leagues, and researchers to gain insights into ACL injuries,” stated Tori Huster, the NWSLPA’s deputy executive director and a former NWSL player. “This understanding necessitates examining not just the individual but also the environments in which players train and compete daily. Project ACL presents a chance to develop player-focused evidence that can drive significant changes throughout women’s professional soccer.”
The study intends to monitor factors such as player workload and travel, aiming to comprehend how these elements relate to player injuries. Data will be anonymized and shared internally during the study, as per the organizers.
Organizers note that merely 8% of all sports research focuses on women, with much of it centered on amateur athletes.
Project ACL was initially launched in England with the Women’s Super League. It represents the first study of its kind spanning multiple professional leagues, according to the organizers.
The NWSL and NWSLPA are collaborating with Nike, Leeds Beckett University, and the global players’ union FIFPRO, which is “responsible for the overall guidance and leadership of the study,” as stated in a press release.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome the NWSLPA and the NWSL to Project ACL, which now includes two of the largest leagues in women’s soccer,” said Dr. Alex Culvin, FIFPRO’s director of women’s football, in a news release.
“In general, we believe that a player-centric approach and collaboration with essential stakeholders are crucial for achieving meaningful change in the soccer ecosystem, and that players, competition organizers, and stakeholders worldwide will gain from the outputs and outcomes of Project ACL.”
