CLUBS fielding AFL Women's teams are tailoring their conditioning programs in recognition of research showing women have a higher propensity to suffer knee injuries than men who play the same sport.
Collingwood recruit Kendra Heil became the third player on an AFL Women's list to suffer an ACL injury when she was injured at training last Wednesday.
In August, Fremantle's Kiara Bowers and Greater Western Sydney's Renee Forth suffered season-ending injuries after being selected as marquee players for their respective clubs.
On average, AFL teams in the men's competition suffer roughly one ACL injury per year per team.
Melbourne women's football operations manager Debbie Lee told AFL.com.au the Demons had made injury prevention a central component of their preparation program.
"We're monitoring the girls very closely. Given we have a short list of 27 we need all our girls on the park," Lee said.
"Components of our weights program are tailored around the mechanics of landing and lower body strength, with a view of reducing ACLs and lower-limb injuries."
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Research related to sports such as basketball and European handball, which men and women play under the same conditions, has suggested women involved in those sports may be more susceptible to knee injuries than men.
However there has also been some evidence that specific screening and training programs can reduce their prevalence to similar rates as men.
There are also many other variables not related to gender that can cause such injuries.
The AFL is expected to collect data about injury rates for the women's competition in a similar way as it does with the AFL injury report.
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Lee conceded it would be interesting to see what transpired in the inaugural AFL Women's season, particularly with games being played in February and March when grounds are harder and the temperature rises.
However, Lee said the level of expertise among support staff was very good, with clubs aware of the individual differences in maturity, daily working lives and their psychological make-up.
"[I'm] comfortable of the strength and conditioning guys that are around the clubs at the moment have a great understanding of loads," Lee said.
AFL Women's teams are training in preparation for the first season, which kicks off in February 2017.
