Background: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) frequently occur during cutting activities when fatigued or responding to the sporting environment. ACL injuries lead to profound short and long term consequences, making the prevention of ACL injuries critically important. However, the effect of fatigue and anticipation on cutting biomechanics is not well understood. Furthermore, there is limited research on the effects of interventions to improve the biomechanics of unanticipated cutting activities. Aims: To determine the effects fatigue and anticipation on the biomechanics of side and crossover cutting. Secondly, to develop and assess the efficacy of an exercise programme designed to improve cutting technique. Methods: Three studies determined the effect of a high intensity, intermittent exercise protocol (HIIP) on dynamic postural control, neurocognitive function and the biomechanics of the vertical drop jump, respectively. Two subsequent studies investigated the effects of the HIIP and anticipation on the biomechanics of crossover and side cutting, respectively. Finally, a randomised controlled trial assessed the effect of a dynamic core stability programme on the biomechanics of anticipated and unanticipated cutting. Findings: The HIIP had detrimental effects on dynamic postural control and neurocognitive function but not on vertical drop jump biomechanics. The combination of the HIIP and unanticipation did not increase the magnitude of biomechanical risk factors for ACL injuries during side and crossover cutting. However, unanticipation increased the magnitude of certain risk factors for ACL injuries, particularly related to trunk kinematics, during cutting. Although the dynamic core stability programme did not alter trunk kinematics, it reduced the magnitude of a small number of risk factors for ACL injuries during cutting, particularly during anticipated side cutting. Conclusion: The magnitude of biomechanical risk factors for ACL injuries is greater during unanticipated compared with anticipated cutting. A dynamic core stability programme has small, beneficial effects on cutting biomechanics.