Netball is bad too
Netball has a high incidence of ACL injuries, with 80% being non-contact, often resulting from rapid deceleration, pivoting, and improper landings. ACL injuries represent roughly 17-25% of all major netball injuries, mostly affecting women aged 10-19. Prevention programmes like NetballSmart can reduce these injuries by up to 50%.
Key Causes and Risk Factors:
Landing & Pivoting: The "one-step" rule and pivoting motions create immense pressure on the knee.
Non-Contact Mechanisms: ~80% of injuries occur without direct impact, caused by turning, landing, or stopping suddenly.
High-Risk Age Group: 10 to 19-year-old females are at the highest risk, with a 120% increase in ACL reconstructions reported in this group in some studies.
Inward Knee Collapse: ACL rupture often occurs when the knee collapses inward (valgus position).