Serious knee injuries including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures in women and girls' football can be reduced through using injury prevention training, according to a new study by La Trobe University researchers.
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study is the first-ever trial of injury prevention in women and girls' Australian Football, and the second-largest randomised trial in sport injury prevention worldwide.
The study of the Prep-to-Play injury-prevention program followed nearly 2500 players from 165 under-16, under-18, and senior women's teams across metropolitan and regional Victoria during 2021 to 2022 and delivered more than 50 workshops to coaches, player leaders, club administrators and parents.
La Trobe researchers found that coaches and teams who received a hands-on Prep-to-Play workshop by an accredited physiotherapist with two follow-up visits and online resources, were almost four times more likely to adhere to it than relying on the online tools alone.
For every 10 per cent increase in program use, players' lower and upper-limb injury rates including ACL ruptures and serious knee injuries were reduced by up to seven per cent.
Developed by La Trobe University with the Australian Football League, Prep-to-Play includes eight warm-up activities, three contact skills and three strength exercises to support safer, stronger on-field performances.
Lead author Dr Brooke Patterson, a physiotherapist and former AFLW player from the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medical Research Centre (LASEM), said girls and women often have less exposure to contact and physical skill development than boys and men, which could increase their injury risk in fast-paced footy games.
"If we want injury-prevention programs to make a real difference we must equip coaches and players with hands-on, interactive training that builds their confidence and capability," Dr Patterson said.
"When coaches feel supported and skilled, programs are implemented properly and consistently - ultimately driving down injuries."
The global growth in women's and girls' football is also seen in community Australian football -participation has increased by 790 per cent over the past decade.
Australia's ACL injury rate is also rising, particularly in adolescent girls, who are seeing increases up to six per cent per annum in the last decade.
LASEM Director Professor Kay Crossley said the research provided a practical blueprint for safer community sport.
"The AFL's support has been instrumental. Their endorsement of the resources as part of their core injury-prevention policy has ensured the program meets the practical needs of community football clubs," Professor Crossley said.
"We recommend that sport organisations co-create and embed annual injury-prevention education, practical training and implementation processes into routine practice. This aligns with the 2025 International Olympic Committee Consensus recommendations on female, woman, and girl athlete injury prevention."
AFL's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Makdissi said the AFL was committed to raising awareness of injury prevention best practice and Prep-to-Play training available to leagues and community clubs.
"Turning research into action to create safer environments for players at every level of the game will ensure player longevity and continued growth of girls' and women's football in Australia," Dr Makdissi said.
"Prep-to-Play really made our players conscious of what we needed to look after our bodies," Kel Rowe, West Footscray women's team player and coach said.
"The training empowered us as a club to implement it early with juniors, so it was naturally embedded in our culture. We get everyone involved and still use Prep-to-Play today.
"Players and trainers help the coaches implement, and we made connections with local physiotherapists to help us with injury prevention and management."
The study was supported by an NHMRC-funded Partnership Grant, with funding from the Australian Football League, the Medibank Better Health Research Hub and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
