Abstract
PurposeTo determine if female football players who had longer durations of rehabilitation, measured in months, after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction would have lower tuck jump scores (fewer technique flaws) and smaller asymmetries during drop vertical jump landing.MethodsOne-hundred-and-seventeen female football players, aged 16–25 years, after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction (median 16 months, range 6–39) were included. Athletes reported the duration of rehabilitation they performed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Athletes also performed the tuck jump and drop vertical jump tests. Outcome variables were: tuck jump score, frontal plane knee motion and probability of peak knee abduction moment during drop vertical jump landing.ResultsThere was no difference in tuck jump score based on duration of rehabilitation (n.s.). No interaction (n.s.), difference between limbs (n.s.), or duration of rehabilitation (n.s.) was found for peak knee abduction moment during drop vertical jump landing. No interaction (n.s.) or difference between limbs (n.s.) was found for frontal plane knee motion, but there was a difference based on duration of rehabilitation (P = 0.01). Athletes with > 9 months of rehabilitation had more frontal plane knee motion (medial knee displacement) than athletes with < 6 months (P = 0.01) or 6–9 months (P = 0.03).ConclusionAs there was no difference in tuck jump score or peak knee abduction moment based on duration of rehabilitation, the results of this study press upon clinicians the importance of using objective measures to progress rehabilitation and clear athletes for return to sport, rather than time alone.Level of evidenceII.
Highlights
Time from surgery or duration of rehabilitation is an easy measure for athletes, clinicians, and surgeons to track, but time alone may not give the most complete information on an athlete’s recovery [3]
Asymmetries may not be present in all athletes [10], those athletes who have returned to sport are at a high risk for a second ACL injury [27, 28]
The purpose of this study was to explore if there were differences in tuck jump score and asymmetry during drop vertical jump (DVJ) landing based on duration of rehabilitation in female football players
Summary
Time from surgery or duration of rehabilitation is an easy measure for athletes, clinicians, and surgeons to track, but time alone may not give the most complete information on an athlete’s recovery [3]. A community-level study demonstrated a relationship between longer durations of post-operative rehabilitation (≥ 6 months) and greater quadriceps and single-legged hop limb symmetry [7]. Such results support an idea that longer durations of rehabilitation may be related to better outcomes. An idea reinforced by reports that longer time from surgery to return to sport may be related to a lower risk of knee reinjury [11]. As the previous community-level study only examined duration of rehabilitation with strength and single-legged hopping outcomes [7], it is not clear that the same relationship extends to higher level, more demanding jump landings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
