Brief summary, from the abstract
In this network meta-analysis of ACL injury prevention programs, attention-focus instructions improved knee flexion and core stability training reduced knee valgus during jumping tests, but no program clearly changed knee motion during cutting tests.
- Pooled 22 randomized controlled trials with 878 athletes who had no prior ACL injury, comparing 12 different injury prevention programs.
- For jumping tests, external focus instructions (MD = 26; CrI = 7.5, 44; SUCRA = 0.94) and internal focus of attention (MD = 19; CrI = 0.19, 37; SUCRA = 0.81) increased peak knee flexion, while core stability training ranked best for lowering knee valgus (MD = -4.40; CrI = -7.7, -1.1; SUCRA = 0.96).
- No program produced a statistically significant effect on knee motion during side-step cutting tests, so benefits were inconsistent across movement tasks.
- Evidence is indirect: it measures movement patterns linked to ACL risk rather than actual injury rates.
Clinically assessing this area? See the knee special tests.