Tackling ACL Injuries: A New Focus in Women's Football

Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, and Mary Fowler are just a few names from a long list of female footballers who have faced the daunting challenge of ACL injuries. It's a pressing issue in women's football, and now the Football Association and WSL are stepping up to tackle it head-on. In collaboration with Imperial College London and renowned knee surgeon Simon Ball, the FA is funding an extensive PhD study led by researcher Hanna Lehtovirta. This initiative will involve clubs from both the Women's Super League and WSL2, aiming to get to the heart of why these injuries are so prevalent. ACL injuries are no small matter; they can sideline players for months, drastically affecting their careers. Research indicates that female athletes might be two to six times more susceptible to these injuries compared to their male counterparts. Stars like Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, and Sam Kerr have all been affected in recent years. While past studies have pointed to various risk factors—anatomical, hormonal, biomechanical, and environmental—there's still a gap in understanding how these elements interact in the high-stakes world of elite football. This new research promises to be one of the most thorough looks at ACL injuries in women's football. By merging scientific insights with the lived experiences of players and coaching staff, it aims to shed light on the issue. Players from every club in the WSL and WSL2 will have the chance to participate, along with medical and coaching personnel. The study will unfold in two phases. Initially, player surveys will be conducted to collect vital information regarding injury history, training intensity, and various influencing factors such as hormones and nutrition. Data will be gathered from players who have sustained ACL injuries since the 2018-19 season and compared to those who have remained injury-free. The second phase will focus on in-depth interviews with players and staff to gauge their views on ACL injuries and their current training methods. Researchers are hopeful that the insights gained will inform future strategies for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and overall player welfare in women's football. Adding another layer to this conversation, FIFA announced in April 2025 their own research into the potential impact of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles on ACL injury rates. As the sports community rallies to understand and combat this issue, the question remains: Why are so many female footballers falling victim to ACL injuries?