The Football Association and WSL Football have launched a major research project to better understand why anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur in women’s football and identify ways to reduce them.
The FA-funded PhD study with Imperial College London and sports knee surgeon Simon Ball will be led by researcher Hanna Lehtovirta and will involve clubs across the Women’s Super League and WSL2.
ACL injuries are one of the most serious problems facing the women’s game, often sidelining players for months at a time.
Research shows that female soccer players are two to six times more likely to be injured than their male counterparts.
Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Sam Kerr are among the players who have suffered injuries in recent years.
While previous studies have highlighted potential risk factors, including anatomical, hormonal, biomechanical and environmental influences, researchers say less is known about how these factors interact in the everyday practice of elite soccer.
The study aims to provide one of the most comprehensive examinations of ACL injuries in women’s soccer by combining scientific data with the experiences of players and staff.
Players from each WSL and WSL2 club will be invited to attend, along with medical, performance and coaching staff.
The study will be conducted in two phases.
The first will use player surveys to collect information on injury history, training and match load, hormonal, nutritional and psychological factors.
Data from players with ACL injuries since 2018-19 will be compared to those without.
The second phase will involve interviews with players and staff to explore current approaches to ACL injuries and training and prevention.
The researchers hope the findings will help shape future injury prevention, rehabilitation and player welfare strategies in the women’s game.
In April 2025, FIFA announced that they were funding research into whether hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles could lead to an increase in ACL injuries in women’s soccer.