Simple Exercises to Prevent an ACL Injury in Athletes

Simple Exercises to Prevent ACL Injuries in Athletes

An expert on knee injuries reveals the exercise program that athletes at Stanford University use to strengthen and balance various muscles in the leg for optimal sports performance.

Julie Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow at the Boswell Human Performance Lab at Stanford University, shares insights about the best exercises for athletes to do prior to a sports competition or heading down to the field for practice. Thompson recommends that athletes try the 11+ program that was developed by the international soccer organization, FIFA. While these stretches were designed for soccer players, they are extremely effective warm-up exercises for all athletes. Try these stretches to avoid ACL injuries and for optimal muscle balance and flexibility.

By Sonia Jones
Published on October 8, 2015