The Santa Monica ACL Prevention Project has developed the PEP Program in order to implement a strategic training program to decrease the number of ACL injuries incurred by female soccer players. Since the implementation of Title IX legislation in 1972 allowing equal opportunity for girls and women to participate in sports, there has been a significant increase in the number of females participating in competitive sports. However, the total number of injuries has also increased. Studies have shown that a female soccer player's risk of sustaining an ACL injury is two to eight times greater than her male counterpart. Subsequent studies have shown that adding neuromuscular and proprioceptive exercises to the training regimen can reduce the number of ACL injuries by two to four fold.

What is the PEP Program?
The PEP (Prevent injury, Enhance Performance) Program is a highly specific 15-minute training session that replaces the traditional warm-up. It was developed by a team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and coaches, and has funding support from the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (AAF). The program's main focus is educating players on strategies to avoid injury and includes specific exercises targeting problems as identified in previous research studies.

The goals of the program are to:
1) Avoid vulnerable positions
2) Increase flexibility
3) Increase strength
4) Include plyometric exercises into the training program
5) Increase proprioception though agilities

Most program exercises and drills are already part of a team's standard training. However, it will require attention to detail on the part of players, coaches and trainers. Optimally the program should be performed at least 2-3 times per week during the season.

How does the research portion of the PEP Program work?
According to other similar studies, this program should decrease the total number of ACL injuries significantly. Thus for the next three years, this research group will collect data on the incidence of knee injuries in the Coast Soccer League. With the support of CSL players, coaches, trainers and parents, this group will critically study all knee injuries and compare them to a similar group of soccer players on the East Coast. Because there is a research component to the program, we sought and received approval from the St. John's Health Center (Santa Monica, CA) Institutional Review Board (IRB). This IRB's mission is to ensure safety and ethical conduct in the research performed by its medical staff. Therefore, all information regarding an injured player will be kept confidential and no information will be obtained without the consent of a parent/guardian.

What happens if there is a knee injury?
Please report all knee injuries to Holly Silvers regardless of the type of knee problem, the severity, the treating physician, or the type of treatment. The project's primary focus is to study knee injuries in soccer. All calls are welcome!

How do I obtain a copy of the program?
A videotaped copy of the protocol along with instructional materials will be provided to all participating teams. For additional copies, please contact Holly Silvers at (310) 829-2663 ext. 1283.