Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) subcategories are affected by subjective running ability and medial single-leg hop distance in postreconstruction patients at 6 months.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between physical function factors and each subcategory score of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale among patients following ACL reconstruction. Participants comprised 59 patients who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon. The ACL-RSI was completed 6 months after reconstruction and five physical functions were measured in patients on the same day. Simple linear regression was performed multiple times to investigate the relationship between ACL-RSI subcategory scores as a dependent variable and each independent variable (knee strength, leg anterior reach distance, single-leg hop [SLH] distances, side bridge endurance, and subjective running ability). Multiple regression analysis was performed using a stepwise method, with factors showing a risk rate <0.05 in simple linear regression analyses as independent variables and the ACL-RSI in each subcategory score as the dependent variable. Multiple regression analysis showed that subjective running ability affected all subcategories (p ≤ 0.001), and that the limb symmetry index of medial SLH distance affected both the Emotions (p = 0.047) and Confidence (p = 0.009) subcategories. Higher subjective running ability and greater limb symmetry in the medial SLH were thus positively associated with each dimension of psychological readiness. This study highlights the differential impact of physical function factors on specific subcategories of the ACL-RSI scale, providing clinicians with insights for designing targeted rehabilitation strategies. This original paper suggests the importance of analysing factors related to subcategory scores in addition to total ACL-RSI score, and could contribute to the understanding of determinants for a successful return to sport following ACL reconstruction. Level IV.