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Sports and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries

Both contact and noncontact sports can put a high demand on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lead to increased risk for injury. Generally, high-demand sports are those sports that require stop-and-go movements, jumping, or weaving through other players or obstacles.

High-demand sports include:

  • Basketball.
  • Figure skating.
  • Football.
  • Gymnastics.
  • Handball.
  • Ice and field hockey.
  • Lacrosse.
  • Rugby.
  • Skiing.
  • Soccer.
  • Tennis (singles).
  • Volleyball.
  • Wrestling.

Moderate-demand sports include:

  • Baseball.
  • Tennis (doubles).
  • Track (nonjumping field events and hurdles).

Low-demand sports include:

  • Crew.
  • Cycling.
  • Jogging.
  • Swimming.
  • Track (running events).
Author Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Michele Cronen
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD
- Emergency Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Freddie H. Fu, MD
- Orthopedic Surgery
Specialist Medical Reviewer Patrick J. McMahon, MD
- Orthopedics
Last Updated May 16, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 16, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.