Researchers in Finland are working to use Artificial intelligence (AI) technology to predict knee injuries in athletes.
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä Faculty of Information Technology’s Digital Health Intelligence Laboratory used a huge set of data and machine learning technology to predict anterior cruciate ligament injuries in athletes.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in team sports and cutting sports, although multiple injury risk factors have been recognized in previous research, however, the actual prediction of ACL injuries is still a matter of controversy.
“The machine learning methods used in the study managed to predict injuries with about 65% overall accuracy. The result was statistically significant, but in practice, the predictive ability is so low that it is not useful in the practical clinical assessment of ACL injuries”, says Susanne Jauhiainen, who conducted the study.
The study was based on data from injury research done by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, consisting of 880 female handball and football professionals.
“Even though we sort of failed this time, it can’t be said that machine learning and artificial intelligence can’t still predict injuries in the future. The result is useful because it will help injury researchers move towards collecting more relevant measurements”, Jauhiainen concludes.
References: University of Jyväskylä
