FA and WSL launch major study into ACL injuries in women's football

What the report says

The Football Association and WSL Football have launched a major research project aimed at understanding why ACL injuries are so common in women’s football and how they might be reduced. The study is being funded by the FA and will be carried out with Imperial College London and sports knee surgeon Simon Ball, led by researcher Hanna Lehtovirta. It will involve clubs across the Women’s Super League and WSL2.

ACL injuries are a major concern in the women’s game because they can sideline players for many months. The BBC Sport report notes that research has suggested women footballers are more likely to suffer the injury than men, and it cites several high-profile players who have experienced ACL damage in recent years, including Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Sam Kerr.

The project will run in two phases. The first will gather survey data from players on injury history, training and match loads, and possible hormonal, nutritional and psychological factors. That will be followed by interviews with players and staff to examine how ACL injuries are understood and how prevention is currently approached. Researchers hope the findings will support future injury prevention, rehabilitation and player welfare strategies. In broader context, the BBC notes that other research efforts are also under way, including FIFA-funded work announced in April 2025 on whether menstrual-cycle hormones may play a role in ACL risk.