Posted at: 08/21/2012 10:41 AM

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Medical Edge: Preventing ACL Injuries

(ABC 6 NEWS) - Girls are four to six times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than boys.  That's why sports medicine specialists at Mayo Clinic developed a camp aimed at preventing knee injuries for young female athletes.

Athletic trainer Candee Mills is helping high school soccer players improve their game by using speed, agility and quickness.

"We also work on injury prevention to help correct faulty mechanics," said Mills.

When you cut, pivot or jump, you put stress on the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee.  If your knee collapses inward during these moves, that ligament can tear.

ACL injuries are especially a problem for girls, possibly because of the angles of their leg bones or imbalanced muscles around the knees.  Proper training can help prevent ACL injuries.

"We're trying to train them to be able to land better and jump better," said Chad Eickoff of the Mayo Clinic.

"legs shoulder width apart.  You have to jump as high as you can and when you lad, you have to stand straight and your knees can't go in our out," said soccer player Lidia Ouk.  She is a attending the sports medicine clinic.

"Really at the heart of research  now is jump mechanics and landing mechanics." said Eickoff.

Performing drills can teach the athletes how to move more safely.  The drills also strengthen muscles around the knees. 

ACL injuries usually mean a trip to the operating room.  ACL reconstructions are not minor.  Recovery can keep you out of the game for nine months to a year.