# Neuromuscular Intervention Targeted to Mechanisms of ACL Load in Female Athletes

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2022 · $692,585

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of this project is to prevent risk of second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in vulnerable
populations, which consist of young, active men, women, girls and boys. Specifically, we propose to 1) stratify
patients into risk groups for second ACL injury, 2) determine the effects of differential treatment on
biomechanical measures of ACL injury risk and return to sport readiness after reconstruction (ACLR).
Additionally, we will begin the development of a clinical algorithm that will classify patient risk for second ACL
injury to facilitate the translation of findings from the laboratory into the clinic. Differential treatment will include
a home only program, a standard clinical rehabilitation program, and a novel targeted neuromuscular training
program designed to augment core and hip strength as well as promote optimum, low risk movement
strategies in both lower extremities. Highly active men and women between the ages of 14 ≥ 24 years who
have sustained an acute, isolated primary ACL injury will be recruited for study participation. As patients enter
their final phase of rehabilitation after surgery they will undergo testing that includes self-reported function,
performance of drop jumps, hop testing, strength assessment, and balance assessment. After testing, patients
will be randomized into one of the three intervention groups for a six-week, twelve-session training program.
After completion of training the patients will repeat the same battery of tests. To determine relative risk for
second ACL injury, cluster-analysis statistical testing will be performed. Differences between risk-groups will
be validated using the frontal plane hip and knee motions, which will be used as surrogates for ACL injury.
Repeated measures ANOVA testing will be conducted to identify differences before and after testing to
determine the effectiveness of each intervention program on clinical performance and biomechanical
measures. Results from this proposed work will allow us to prospectively identify high risk patients who are the
most appropriate recipients of enhanced treatment, including targeted neuromuscular training, which may
reduce second ACL risk. Patients with lower-risk for second ACL injury may achieve optimum benefits from
less intensive intervention. Thus, differential interventions may reduce the risk of a subsequent injury, enhance
the quality of life for a significant cohort of young adults, and yield a more efficacious delivery of health care
resources after ACLR.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10443822
- **Project number:** 5R01AR055563-10
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Nathaniel Andrew Bates
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $692,585
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2008-09-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10443822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10443822, Neuromuscular Intervention Targeted to Mechanisms of ACL Load in Female Athletes (5R01AR055563-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10443822. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*