The Football Association (FA) and the Women’s Super League (WSL) have launched a significant research initiative aimed at understanding the causes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football and developing strategies to mitigate them. The project, funded by the FA, will be conducted in collaboration with Imperial College London and sports knee surgeon Simon Ball.
Comprehensive Research Approach
Led by researcher Hanna Lehtovirta, the study will engage clubs across both the WSL and the Women’s Championship. ACL injuries represent a critical challenge in the women’s game, frequently resulting in lengthy recovery periods for athletes. High-profile players, including Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, and Sam Kerr, have all sustained such injuries in recent years.
Current data indicates that female footballers face a risk of ACL injury that is two to six times higher than that of their male counterparts. While existing research has identified potential contributors—such as hormonal, anatomical, biomechanical, and environmental factors—experts note that there is limited understanding of how these variables interact within the daily environment of elite professional football.
Study Phases and Objectives
The project seeks to provide a thorough examination of the issue by integrating scientific data with the firsthand experiences of coaching, medical, and performance staff, as well as the players themselves. Participation will be open to individuals from every club in the WSL and WSL2.
The research is structured into two distinct phases. The first phase utilizes surveys to collect information regarding injury history, psychological factors, nutritional habits, and training or match loads. This stage will compare data from players who have sustained ACL injuries since the 2018-19 season against those who have not. The second phase will consist of interviews with staff and players to examine their perspectives on injury prevention and current training methodologies.
Researchers anticipate that the results will inform future approaches to player welfare, rehabilitation, and injury prevention strategies. This initiative follows an announcement from FIFA in April 2025 regarding their own funding for research into the potential impact of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles on the frequency of ACL injuries in the sport.
