Real-time Sensorimotor Feedback for Injury Prevention in Males Assessed in Virtual Reality

Even though females are 2- to 10-times more likely to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, males represent the largest population of total ACL injuries. Consequently, there is a larger population of males that endure significant pain, functional limitations, and radiographic signs of knee osteoarthritis (OA) within 12 to 20 years of injury. To reduce the burden of OA, The National Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis recommends expanding and refining evidence-based prevention of ACL injury. Specialized training that targets modifiable risk factors shows statistical efficacy in high-risk athletes; however, clinically meaningful reduction of risk has not been achieved. A critical barrier that limits successful training outcomes is the requirement of qualified instructors to deliver personalized, intuitive, and accessible feedback to young athletes. Thus, a key gap in knowledge is how to efficiently deliver objective, effective feedback during training for injury prevention. The investiagator's long-term goal is to reduce ACL injuries and the subsequent sequela in young male athletes.