ACL Prevention Protocol - Day 1

Having been schooled in Developmental Kinesiology, I've unintentionally learned to watch young humans move, play and interact. But as amusing as it can be, sometimes it can be equally frustrating. Especially since none of the children I watch are my own.

I've got 5 direct nieces and nephews with 1 on the way, have an infinite amount of very close relatives, and an endless supply of children walking into my workplace. So saying I see a wide variety of children would be quite accurate.

Now when it comes to ACL Prevention Programs, through the research, we know that the neurobiomechanics - whatever that means - of the core, hip, knee and ankle are extremely important. Unfortunately though, even with implemented research-based ACL prevention programs, we are still seeing a large amount of ACL injuries.

Knowing this, and seeing many children on a day to day basis, it makes me wonder if ACL Prevention Programs and intervening too late. Sure they are implement BEFORE injury occurs, but are we engaging in this process soon enough?

Take the "W" sit for example. The "W" sit we see in children who may have missed key developmental milestones in the 1st year of life. Sure we see this every day, but as the Prague School would suggest, central coordination here is lacking. Do we have the research to prove this? Maybe not, but I do know that once I have children I will at least have my n of 1. I certainly will not make my 2nd child the control, but I will endeavor to make sure that this "W Sit" position doesn't even enter their motor skill vocabulary. Because if we're trying to prevent valgus collapse in 13 year olds, why aren't we trying to prevent it in toddlers?

So how do we prevent it? Get rid of the bumbos and leave the kids on the floor to let them play.