Knee Injury Prevention Program
The Children's Memorial Institute for Sports Medicine is pleased to offer the Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP). KIPP is a neuromuscular training program designed to reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female adolescent athletes.
Facts about knee injuries
Each year in the United States over 20,000 high school girls suffer a serious sports-related knee injury. In fact, girls are up to six times more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than boys in similar sports.
Over 70% of ACL injuries occur without any contact with another player, typically while landing from a jump or changing direction suddenly. An ACL injury at an early age is a life-changing event. Such injuries often require surgery and/or many months of rehabilitation. Sadly, regardless of treatment, ACL injuries are associated with a 10-fold increased risk for degenerative knee arthritis later in life. To address this, the sports medicine professionals at Children's Memorial Hospital have developed a Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP) which is designed to lower the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes.
Why are girls more prone to knee injuries?
Researchers are continuing to investigate the reasons for this gender disparity in ACL injury rates. To date, the most convincing evidence points to neuromuscular differences between girls and boys. Several studies have shown that girls tend to have less neuromuscular control of knee motion than boys while performing certain athletic tasks, such as landing from a jump or changing direction suddenly. During these athletic tasks, girls tend to demonstrate less use of the hamstring muscles, less knee and hip flexion, and greater inward collapse of the knees than boys. These neuromuscular patterns have been associated with a greater risk for ACL injury.
What can girls do to prevent knee injuries?
Girls who participate in neuromuscular training programs like KIPP are up to 9 times less likely to injure their ACL.
What is KIPP?
KIPP is a neuromuscular exercise program designed to lower the risk of ACL injuries among adolescent female athletes. It was developed by our sports medicine experts and is based on published scientific research demonstrating that specific neuromuscular exercises can reduce girls' risk for ACL injuries.
Girls are up to six times more likely to injure their ACL than boys playing similar sports.
Our own research has shown that these exercises can also reduce the risk for knee pain by 50%. KIPP consists of two classes per week for six consecutive weeks, with each class lasting one hour. KIPP is taught by certified athletic trainers and licensed physical therapists trained in knee injury prevention techniques. Maximum class size is 18 girls, with 1 instructor for every 6 athletes. This allows for individual attention when needed.
What happens in a KIPP class?
KIPP instructors lead participants through a series of progressively challenging strengthening exercises, plyometrics, and agility drills. Instructors teach participants how to recognize unsafe knee positions and how to improve muscle control of their knee motion. Goals are to improve dynamic knee stability, reduce the risk of knee injuries, and enhance athletic performance. Participants are videotaped during the program to provide them with visual feedback on their progress.
Who should participate in KIPP?
All physically active teenage girls can benefit from KIPP. The exercise program is specifically designed for girls 13 years of age and older. Be advised that KIPP is not a treatment program for knee injuries. KIPP is a prevention program for athletes who may have had a knee injury in the past, but are currently without symptoms. Girls must be fully recovered from any injuries before they can participate. If you have any questions about whether KIPP is a appropriate for your daughter please call us at 773.327.1201.
When and where is KIPP offered?
KIPP is offered up to four times per year at various locations in the Chicago area. Find schedules and enrollment forms here.
Cost
$300.00 for Individuals. Call for information on groups rates.
Group rates available. Please call for more information.
Research
Our KIPP team is committed to scientific research to further our understanding of the mechanisms and prevention of sports-related knee injuries. All KIPP participants are invited to contribute to the Institute for Sports Medicine's ongoing research by completing three short questionnaires. The new information we gain from this research will be directly applied to future KIPP sessions.
Questions & Registration
To learn more about KIPP or about the treatment and prevention of sports injuries in children and teens, contact Cynthia LaBella, MD, Pediatric Sports Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, at 773.327.1201 or make an appointment by calling 1.800.KIDS DOC.