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A study released yesterday by the American Academy of Pediatrics says that knee injuries in young athletes, particularly females, is on the rise and recommends injury prevention programs as the best way to deal with the problem.

"At NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital we recognized this problem and are offering schools and individuals a comprehensive training program designed to prevent ACL injuries," said Kyle Mack, PT, DPT, Clinical Manager of the Department of Rehabilitation. "ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries can be very debilitating and the training we offer helps young athletes to, not only improve their performance, but do it in a way that helps prevent injury."

The American Academy of Pediatrics study published online April 28 says that a growing number of American children and teens are tearing their ACL. The rise is particularly dramatic among girls in sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics. Specific types of training can reduce the risk of an ACL tear by as much as 72 percent, the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics said.

"Neuromuscular training programs strengthen lower-extremity muscles, improve core stability, and teach athletes how to avoid unsafe knee positions," lead author Cynthia LaBella, M.D., medical director and associate professor of pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a member of the Academy's Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, said in a news release.

Starting May 6, NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is offering Sportsmetrics^™: ACL Injury Prevention program. The program, developed by Dr. Frank Noyes of the Cincinnati Sports Institute, is 18 sessions and is being offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Hospital’s Center for Sports Medicine. The cost is $350 for 18 sessions.

On May 1 at 6 p.m., Kyle Mack will also talk to parents, coaches and athletic trainers about the importance of preventing ACL injuries. The free seminar is being held in the Ground Floor Conference Room at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital, 1980 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY.

Kyle Mack has worked at HVHC’s Center for Rehabilitation for 16 years and has served as clinical director since 2004. He has been an Adjunct Professor at New York Medical College since 2009. Kyle holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica College and is a certified instructor of the SportsMetrics TM ACL injury prevention and athletic performance enhancement training.

For more information on ACL injury prevention or to register for the May 1 or May 6 programs, call the Center for Sports Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital at 734-3455 or go to hvhc.npgdev.com and look under sports medicine. The AAP study can be found on line at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/04/22/peds.2014-0623.abstract