KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT ACL TEAR AMONG NON-PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN SAUDI ARABIA
Abstract
Background: The cruciate ligaments' main role is to stabilize the knee, and athletes as well as non-athletes are at high risk of rupture to these ligaments. The ligament in the front is called the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It is one of the main static and functional stabilizing structures of the knee, the one most commonly injured, and its reconstruction is frequently performed.
Objective: This study aimed to establish the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries and the knowledge and awareness of it among non-professional football players in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The present research was a cross-sectional assessment of data from a web-based questionnaire survey. The participants of the study are Non-professional athletes both male & female who are above 14 years old in all Saudi regions. The sample size was calculated using “Raosoft”, sample size calculator. Based on 5% margin of error, 95% confidence interval, the estimated sample size was 384 participants.
Results: This study aimed to assess knowledge and awareness of ACL injuries among non-professional football players in Saudi Arabia, analyzing data from 496 participants. The findings revealed that 93.5% were aware of ACL injuries, yet only 10.7% felt very confident in preventing them. Knowledge gaps were evident, with just 55.2% correctly identifying knee instability as a symptom. Reliance on acquaintances (44.6%) and the internet (43.9%) as information sources was significant. Additionally, only 42.4% exhibited mild to high awareness of ACL-related concepts, highlighting a concerning lack of knowledge, particularly influenced by regional, employment, and educational factors.
Conclusion: While the present study highlights a significant awareness of ACL injuries among non-professional football players in Saudi Arabia, it also underscores critical gaps in knowledge and understanding of prevention strategies.