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Objective: To rate athletes' functional ability and return to sport (RTS) success at the end of their individual, formal, medically prescribed rehabilitation after anterior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: In our prospective multicenter cohort study, 88 (42 females) adults aged 18-35 years after acute unilateral ACL rupture and subsequent hamstring grafting were included. All patients were prospectively monitored during their rehabilitation and RTS process until the end of their formal rehabilitation and RTS release. As outcome measures, functional hop and jump tests (front hop, balance hops, and drop jump screening test) and self-report outcomes (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, ACL-RTS after injury) were assessed. Literature-based cut-off values were selected to rate each performance as fulfilled or not. Results: At 7.5 months (SD 2.3 months) after surgery, the percentage of participants meeting the functional thresholds ranged from 4% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score SPORT) and over 44% (ACL-RTS after injury sum score) to 59% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score activities of all daily living) in the self-report and from 29% (Balance side hop) to 69% (normalized knee separation distance) in performance testing. Only 4% fulfilled all the cut-offs, while 45% returned to the same type and level of sport. Participants who successfully returned to their previous sport (type and level) were more likely to be "over-cut-off-performers." Conclusions: The low share of the athletes who fulfilled the functional RTS criteria highlights the importance of continuing the rehabilitation measures after the formal completion to assess the need for and success of, inter alia, secondary-preventive therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Studies investigating ankle condition in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI) using an on-the-field test battery are scarce. Understanding which tests that are most challenging for these subjects has the potential to set realistic goals in rehabilitation and return-to-sports criteria. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate CAI subjects regarding strength, balance and functional performance with an easily used test battery that required minimal equipment. Methods This study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. A total of 20 CAI subjects, engaged in sports, and 15 healthy subjects serving as a control group, were tested for assessment of strength, balance and functional performance. A test battery was developed accordingly; isometric strength in inversion and eversion, the single leg stance test (SLS), single leg hop for distance (SLHD) and side hop test. The limb symmetry index was calculated to determine whether a side-to-side lower limb difference could be classified as normal or abnormal. The sensitivity of the test battery was also calculated. Results The subjects were 20% weaker on the injured side compared with the non-injured side in eversion (p

Background: Studies investigating ankle condition in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI) using an on-the-field test battery are scarce. Understanding which tests that are most challenging for these subjects has the potential to set realistic goals in rehabilitation and return-to-sports criteria. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate CAI subjects regarding strength, balance and functional performance with an easily used test battery that required minimal equipment. Methods: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. A total of 20 CAI subjects, engaged in sports, and 15 healthy subjects serving as a control group, were tested for assessment of strength, balance and functional performance. A test battery was developed accordingly; isometric strength in inversion and eversion, the single leg stance test (SLS), single leg hop for distance (SLHD) and side hop test. The limb symmetry index was calculated to determine whether a side-to-side lower limb difference could be classified as normal or abnormal. The sensitivity of the test battery was also calculated. Results: The subjects were 20% weaker on the injured side compared with the non-injured side in eversion (p < 0.01) and 16% weaker in inversion (p < 0.01) (Table 2). For the SLS test, the mean score of the injured side was 8 points (67%) higher (more foot lifts) compared to the non-injured side (p < 0.01). The mean distance of the SLHD was 10 cm (9%) shorter for the injured side compare to the non-injured side (p = 0.03). The mean number of side hop was 11 repetitions (29%) fewer for the injured side compare to the non-injured side (p < 0.01). Six of the 20 subjects obtained abnormal LSI values in all five tests whereas none obtained normal values in all tests. The sensitivity of the test battery was 100%. Conclusion: Deficits in muscle strength, balance and functional performance appear to be present in CAI subjects with the largest impairments in balance and side hop performance, which stresses the need for return to sport criteria for this group of subjects. Trial registration: Registered retrospectively on 24/01/2023. NCT05732168. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Psychological readiness is a significant factor in determining successful return to sport (RTS) and physical activities after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Knowing the influence of kinesiophobia on physical tests that are used to guide RTS, such as the single-leg hop for distance (SLHD), would contribute to advancing clinical practice. Objective: To investigate the association between kinesiophobia and SLHD performance in patients after ACL reconstruction. Data Sources: A comprehensive search strategy entailed surveying 6 databases for relevant articles published from January 2009 to March 2021. Study Selection: Articles published in English that were a minimum of level 3 evidence describing kinesiophobia, as measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and related to SLHD performance in patients after ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: Study characteristics, sample population demographics, instrument(s), or approach(s) used to assess kinesiophobia and SLHD performance, and corresponding results. Results: A total of 152 potential studies were identified, 106 studies underwent screening, 40 were reviewed in full, and 7 studies were included. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of differences in experimental design among studies and instances of missing outcome data. Currently, moderate evidence indicates patients with ACL reconstruction that exhibit less kinesiophobia perform better on the SLHD test. Conclusion: The outcomes of this review propose that sports health practitioners consider the influence of kinesiophobia on SLHD performance as a criterion for RTS and physical activities in patients after ACL reconstruction. Higher quality studies are necessary to establish the extent of association between these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Modified forward hop (MFH) test in participants after ACL reconstruction (ACLR)., Design: Reliability study., Setting: Assessments were administered at different clinical locations in Germany and Switzerland by the same 2 investigators., Participants: Forty-eight active individuals participated in this study (N=48)., Main Outcome Measures: The participants performed MFHs and Forward hops for distance in a predetermined order. The feasibility of the MFH was quantified with proportions of successfully executed attempts and Pearson's χ 2 test. Its reliability was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Test validity was explored using Pearson's product moment correlation analyses., Results: Fewer failed attempts were recorded among the participants (age: 30 [Standard deviation 11] years; 22 women, 26 (13) months post-surgery) when compared with the Forward hop for distance test (25/288 trials; 9% vs 72/288 trials; 25%). Within-session ICC values were excellent (>0.95) for both types of Forward hop tests, independent of the side examined. The SEM values were comparable between the Modified (injured: 5.6 cm, uninjured: 5.9 cm) and the classic Forward hop (injured: 4.3 cm, uninjured: 7.2 cm)., Conclusion: The MFH is a feasible, reliable, and valid tool for judging neuromuscular performance after ACLR. If the aim of a hop for distance incorporates enhanced perceived or real landing safety, landing on both feet should be used., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency can be a major problem for athletes and subsequent reconstruction of the ACL may be indicated if a conservative regimen has failed. After ACL reconstruction signs of abnormality in the use of the leg remain for a long time. It is expected that the landing after a single-leg hop for distance (horizontal hop) might give insight in the differences in kinematics and kinetics between uninjured legs and ACL-reconstructed legs. Before the ACL-reconstructed leg can be compared with the contralateral leg, knowledge of differences between legs of uninjured subjects is needed. Methods: Kinematic and kinetic variables of both legs were measured with an optoelectronic system and a force plate and calculated by inverse dynamics. The dominant leg (the leg with biggest horizontal hop distance) and the contralateral leg of nine uninjured subjects were compared. Findings: No significant differences were found in most of the kinematic and kinetic variables between dominant leg and contralateral leg of uninjured subjects. Only hop distance and hip extension angles differed significantly. Interpretation: This study suggests that there are no important differences between dominant leg and contralateral leg in healthy subjects. As a consequence, the uninvolved leg of ACL-reconstructed patients can be used as a reference. The observed variables of this study can be used as a reference of normal values and normal differences between legs in healthy subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]