The relationship between kinesiophobia and biomechanics in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed females

Abstract

ObjectiveKinesiophobia has been associated with deleterious biomechanical alterations during dual-limb landing tasks in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed females, however, no research has yet investigated single-limb tasks related to ACL injury. The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between kinesiophobia and biomechanics during a series of dual and single-limb functional tasks associated with ACL injury risk. DesignCross-sectional study. ParticipantsFifteen females (age = 22.67 ± 2.58yrs, height = 1.65 ±0 .05m, mass = 65.28 ± 10.36 kg) with a history of ACL reconstruction (time post surgery = 3.40 ±0 .74yrs) were recruited for this investigation. Main outcome measuresKinesiophobia, measured via the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11). Kinematics and muscle activation were measured during three functional tasks: the drop jump (DJ), single-limb hop (SLH), and single-limb landing (SLL). ResultsFor the DJ task, there was a strong negative correlation between kinesiophobia and knee flexion (r = −.592, p = .20) and between kinesiophobia and trunk flexion (r = −0.724, p = .002). For the SLH task, there was a strong positive correlation between kinesiophobia and hip flexion (r = 0.560, p = .03). ConclusionsThese findings indicate that kinesiophobia is associated with movement alterations years after completion of ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation.