Co-funded by players’ unions PFA and FIFPRO, Nike and Leeds Beckett University, it will look at English women’s football for three years.
Why do female players suffer more anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears than men? A study that seeks to answer the question began in England on Tuesday. Co-financed by the players’ unions PFA and FIFPRO, Nike and Leeds Beckett University, this research will observe the WSL (Women’s Super League), the soccer tournament, for three years. Women’s Football English.
So far, the data already known indicates that women are between two and six times more likely to suffer this injury than men. The study will also focus on the facilities, sports and medical staff, travel conditions and calendar of the WSL players.
“Players have rightly called for more research into ACL injuries,” said FIFPRO Women’s Football Strategy and Research Director Alex Culvin. And she added: “This project is a response to both their needs and those of the sector in general.”
An injury that affects great stars
Several great stars of women’s football have recently suffered this injury, among them the English Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, best scorer at Euro 2022, who missed the 2023 World Cup.
The two-time Spanish Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was only able to play a few minutes in her team’s victory in that tournament, after having been away from the fields for a year for the same reason.
“There is no quick solution to eradicate ACL injuries in women’s football. I think we need to refine the research to identify the key factors,” stressed Barcelona’s English defender Lucy Bronze, who studied this type of injury as part of her diploma from Leeds Beckett University.
“Many players need to be more aware of the process by which ACL injuries occur,” added the England right-back.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
