In the world of women's professional football, one injury stands out as a recurring nightmare: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. This injury has sidelined many players, with at least 20 current professional players unable to start the 2023 Women's World Cup due to ACL injuries and related surgeries.
In fact, it is estimated that female football players are 5 times more likely to suffer an ACL related sports injury than their male counterparts!
As experts in exercise and injury recovery and having supported several world class women’s footballers through this tricky recovery process; we want to explore the reasons behind the prevalence of ACL injuries in women's football, the impact it has on players and the sport, and how collagen supplements, particularly our signature Active Collagen gels can be part of the solution.
The facts abouts injuries in women’s football
ACL injuries are common in sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction — such as football, rugby, basketball, and volleyball. Research suggests that female athletes are more likely to suffer from ACL injuries due to a combination of anatomical, hormonal, and neuromuscular factors, amongst others.
Anatomical/Biomechanical Factors
The physical differences between men and women, such as women generally having wider hips, which increase the leg's angle into the knee, and under-developed muscles which prevent the knee from turning in upon landing, have been the subject of research looking at whether that increases the risk.
For example, women tend to land from jumps with their knees straighter and less bent, which can increase the risk of an ACL injury. However, there is no strong evidence from the research that this is the main risk factor.
Hormonal Factors
The role of the menstrual cycle has also been put forward as potentially making females more predisposed to injury at certain times. During the menstrual cycle when estrogen is elevated, which usually happens in the second week, it can affect the stability of joints, as well as affect ligament laxity and strength making them looser and laxer.
However, there is a lack of research to support whether this increases the risk of injury.
Gender Disparities
A 2021 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggested looking at the influence of gender - pointing at external factors such as access to training, sport science, facilities, and rehabilitation.
Female footballers are likely to have significantly lower training ages - the amount of time and exposure an athlete has had to structured, coached, and progressive training - compared to their male counterparts.
Workload
As women's football grows rapidly, the number of games and the level of intensity is also growing quickly, which is leading to increasing concern among managers and players in the game. Overuse, fatigue, and inadequate recovery time can all increase the risk of injury.
The Impact of ACL Injuries
The impact of an ACL injury is significant. It not only affects the physical health of the player but also their mental well-being and career progression. The recovery period can be lengthy, often requiring surgery and extensive physiotherapy.
This means time away from the sport, which can lead to missed opportunities and potential career setbacks. Moreover, there is always the risk of re-injury, which can further impact a player's career longevity.
Prevention and Current Research
Prevention is key when it comes to ACL injuries. This includes proper strength and conditioning programs, focusing on lower body strength, core stability, and balance. Proper warm-ups and cool-downs are also essential to prepare the muscles and ligaments for the physical demands of the sport.
Current research is focused on understanding the specific mechanisms behind ACL injuries in women and developing targeted prevention strategies. Early research indicates that specific training programs can help reduce the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes.
One study found that by doing a series of specific exercises, female athletes could reduce their risk of ACL injury by 50%, with a 67% reduction for non-contact ACL injuries.
Collagen Supplements as a Potential Solution
This is where U Perform's collagen supplements come into play. Collagen is a structural protein that provides structure to much of your body, including your skin, hair, nails, bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Supplements like Active Collagen, Active Whey & Collagen, and Active Sport Collagen can help support the body's natural collagen production by providing the essential building blocks that the structures of our body need to recover and repair from physical activity of any kind.
Not only that, with unique and independently clinically proven formulations of Bioactive Collagen Peptides® we can kickstart natural collagen production again and do so in specific collagen producing cells in target tissues which is a game changer when it comes to optimising your injury recovery and prevention routine.
UK's No.1 Sports Collagen Supplement
Active Collagen, the signature collagen product in our range has been clinically proven to enhance the health, quality, and function of ligaments and tendons, improving the rate and strength of recovery, reducing the risk of re-injury.
Active Collagen features a unique formulation of 2 Bioactive Collagen Peptides® (TENDOFORTE® and VERISOL®) plus added vitamins & minerals combined in a handy and great tasting liquid gel.
What the science says about Active Collagen
One study by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) examined the benefits of TENDOFORTE® over a period of 6 months. The participants were 20 runners with long-term symptoms of chronic Achilles tendinopathy, not responding to any traditional therapies, and being unable to train. Within 3 months, 12 out of 20 participants were able to return to running after starting a therapy with a daily intake of 5g of TENDOFORTE®.
Fiona Brown
After so many injuries and 4 surgeries, taking Active Collagen after training has really helped me reduce my recovery time. I can train in full every day and my knees, and my body feel ready for the next day, which has been amazing and not what my team expected. I’m very grateful to have my Active Collagen. Plus, it tastes great!
Many professional football players have found Active Collagen to be a game-changer for their injury recovery and prevention routine. One player shared…
"Ever since I started using Active Collagen, I've noticed a significant improvement in my overall health and well-being. I have been able to return to being match ready faster than I ever thought possible. Not only that, but my joints also feel more flexible, my skin looks healthier, and I have more energy throughout the day. I'm so grateful to have found a product that not only works but is backed by solid research and tastes great too!”
The Bottomline
ACL injuries are a significant issue in women's professional football, but with the right strategies, they can be prevented and managed. Collagen supplements like Active Collagen offer a promising solution, backed by scientific research and positive testimonials from professional athletes.
Reach out and share your ACL injury story or try Active Collagen today. We’re confident you’ll SEE and FEEL the difference for yourself and be match ready once again!!!
FORMULATED FOR FOOTBALL
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Ligaments & Tendons
Active Collagen
15 x 30ml sachetsRegular price £33.95Regular priceUnit price per -
Muscle Recovery
Active Whey & Collagen
900g powderRegular price £39.95Regular priceUnit price per -
Joints & Bones
Active Sport Collagen
150 tabletsRegular price £29.95Regular priceUnit price per
