Some universities are taking elaborate steps to try to reduce A.C.L. injuries, while others say they do not know what to do. Even the most aggressive measures have not guaranteed healthy knees. Medical research in the past two years has suggested that the risk of a torn ligament can be diminished if women strengthen the muscles that support the knee and retrain themselves to cut, jump and land in more stable positions. But it may take another generation before significant headway is made in reducing the disproportionate number of injuries, according to interviews with two dozen doctors, women's coaches, trainers, strength coaches and players. While encouraging, the latest research is preliminary and subject to a lag between the lab and the basketball court.
Researchers say many coaches prefer traditional conditioning methods.
Others are uninformed about the latest neuromuscular training or confused about which innovative techniques to use. Even some athletes have been reluctant to embrace preventive measures fully in the belief that they will not get hurt while spending as much time as possible developing the particular skills of their sport. We have good, strong data to suggest you can do something about this. But everyone has his own opinion. It's not just coaches, but we all get set in a certain way of thinking, and it's very difficult to change those opinions until something shocking happens.