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 Last Updated: May 16, 2008
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Freddie H. Fu, MD - Orthopedic Surgery
Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedics

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