scholarly journals The Effect of Quality of Movement on the Single Hop Test in Soccer Players Aged 15-16 Years

Author(s):  
James Roush ◽  
Katherine DoVico ◽  
Sheryl Fairchild ◽  
Kimberly McGriff ◽  
R. Bay

Sports injuries are one of the most common injuries in modern society. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly injured in sports. Soccer is one of many sports where an ACL injury is likely to occur, due to inherent jumping and pivoting during participation. Abnormal movement patterns have been suggested as a risk factor for knee injuries, which lead to the development of the step-down test. The Single Leg Hop for Distance test is used to assess functional performance in individuals with an ACL injury or reconstruction. The purpose of the current study was to determine if there are differences in hop test distances according to scores on the step-down test. A second purpose is to determine the relationship between hop test distances and height. Sixty-one males and sixty-one females between 15 and 16 years who participated in a club soccer program participated in the study. The Hop test and the step-down test were administered to the subjects. Mean hop distance for males was 172.89 cm (SD = 18.27) and the mean hop distance for females was 146.88 cm (SD = 14.63). For both males and females, there were no differences in hop distances between the left and right lower extremity (LE). There were no differences in hop distances according to classification of the step-down test for males. Females classified as good by the step-down test hopped farther than females classified as poor. There were no relationships between distances in the hop test and height in females (r = .23 for the left LE; .21 for the right LE). There was a low relationship between distances in the hop test and height in males (r = .46 for the left LE; .39 for the right LE). Clinicians may utilize this information for goal setting and objective testing during rehabilitation.

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110025
Author(s):  
Anne Fältström ◽  
Martin Hägglund ◽  
Henrik Hedevik ◽  
Joanna Kvist

Background: Various tests have been developed to evaluate athletes’ functional performance and for use as screening tools for injury prediction. Further validation of their accuracy to predict injury is needed. Purpose: To investigate the validity of predetermined cutoffs used to differentiate between high- and low-risk players in different functional performance tests to predict (1) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or (2) severe traumatic knee injury in a cohort of female soccer players with a primary unilateral ACL reconstruction and a cohort of knee-healthy players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 117 active female soccer players (mean age ± SD, 20 ± 2 years) an average of 19 ± 9 months after ACL reconstruction and 119 knee-healthy players (age, 19 ± 3 years) were prospectively followed up for 2 years for new knee injuries. At baseline, all players underwent tests to assess postural control (Star Excursion Balance Test), hop performance (single-leg hop for distance, side hop), and movement asymmetries in the lower limbs and trunk (drop vertical jump [DVJ], tuck jump). The predictive validity of the test cutoffs to identify players who would sustain an ACL injury or a severe traumatic knee injury (absence from soccer play, >28 days) was assessed. The risk ratio (RR), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Results: A total of 46 players (39%) with ACL reconstruction sustained 48 severe knee injuries, including 28 ACL ruptures. Of the knee-healthy players, 13 (11%) sustained 14 severe knee injuries, including 8 ACL ruptures. No association was found between the predetermined functional performance test cutoffs and the risk of a new ACL injury or severe knee injury in players with ACL reconstruction. In knee-healthy players, the only variable associated with future ACL injury was ≥6.5 cm knee valgus in the frontal plane (any knee) in the DVJ (RR, 4.93; 95% CI, 1.04-23.40; P = .045), but with only fair predictive validity (AUC, 0.7; sensitivity, 0.75; specificity, 0.65). Conclusion: In our cohorts of female soccer players, the validity of commonly used functional performance tests to predict new knee injuries was poor. Only knee valgus during the DVJ was associated with new ACL injuries in knee-healthy players, but with only fair predictive validity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (03) ◽  
pp. 181-192
Author(s):  
Damoon Soudbakhsh ◽  
Elham Sahraei ◽  
Mehdi Bostan Shirin ◽  
Farzam Farahmand ◽  
Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi ◽  
...  

Every year many people suffer from knee injuries. Previous studies on patients with knee injuries have shown that about 40% of knee injuries are Ligament injuries, and about 50% of the ligament injuries are the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Along with other methods, knee arthrometers are widely used to diagnose ACL injuries. In the current research, a knee arthrometer was designed and developed to provide a reliable and repeatable measurement of knee laxity under anterior–posterior applied loads. Test–retest configurations to examine repeatability of the device resulted in less than 1.5-mm difference for more than 97% of tests under applied loads of up to 90 N. These tests included 166 tests on the left knees and 147 tests on the right knees of 37 healthy subjects. Also, this device was tested on 27 confirmed ACL ruptured patients, and the results were analyzed to find a better criterion than standard criteria to diagnose ACL rupture using knee arthrometers by finding specificity and sensitivity of the device using those criteria. Among the 20 criteria evaluated, a combination of side-to-side difference under 150 N of applied load, and CI@90-60 (compliance index calculated between 90 N, and 60 N) resulted in the best sensitivity (96.4%) and specificity (100%).


Author(s):  
Trenton Reyes ◽  
Darryn S. Willoughby

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are some of the most common knee injuries that occur in the US, accounting for around 200,000 documented cases per year. Varying levels of severity can determine whether surgery is required or if physical therapy will suffice. One of the most common complications for patients is that there is significant atrophy of the impacted limb. Yet, there has not been definitive proof explaining this mechanism. Objective: The primary goal for this review was to examine some of the biochemical differences that tend to occur within and surrounding an ACL injury and the mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle atrophy and regenerative capabilities. Outcome: Multiple studies have found a connection between time spent inactive from the injury and the percentage of retained muscle after exercising again. Among decreases in muscle mass and muscle volume changes, analyses have also revealed alterations in alpha-2 macroglobulin, myostatin, heat shock protein-72, mechano GF-C24E, synovial fluid, and histochemical alterations in collagen and cartilaginous states which all seem to be primary factors in regulating effectiveness and speed of recovery from ACL injury. Conclusion: the influx of various cytokines as a response to the initial injury in relation to inflammation change the chemical and physical environment of the knee, making recovery significantly more difficult and time-consuming. Timing of injury, surgery, and re-initiation of movement after surgery are very important factors that can minimize overall damage and reduce recovery time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Helena Jedvaj ◽  
Dalibor Kiseljak ◽  
Olivera Petrak

Abstract Introduction. Alpine skiing is one of the most dangerous winter sports that entails a high number of injuries, most commonly affecting the knee. Kinesiophobia is a condition in which an individual experiences fear of physical movement and activity as a result of feeling susceptible to injuries or recurrent injuries. The objective was to examine the level of kinesiophobia in skiers who have sustained knee injuries. Material and methods. The sample consisted of 22 female and 11 male professional skiers, with the average age of 24 ± 7.391 years. For the purpose of the assessment, the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK) was employed. Results. The number of knee injuries in skiers totals at least 1 and 11 at most, on average 2.45, most commonly involving the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. There were no significant differences between the left and the right knee or bilateral injuries. The average score in the TSK totals 36 points, which is close to the critical threshold of 37 points. 36% of the participants possess a high level of kinesiophobia. With respect to the general level of kinesiophobia, no significant differences were found in relation to gender, with regard to the number of surgeries or whether one or both knees were affected by injuries. Older skiers have also been found to have significantly lower fear of recurrent injuries. Conclusions. The number of knee injuries in skiing is high and aggravating, in such a way that almost one third of skiers that have sustained knee injuries experience a critical level of kinesiophobia, and that requires intervention. During rehabilitation, psychological support should also be provided to athletes in order to prevent or reduce kinesiophobia and thus prevent recurrent or new injuries.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Damien Murphy ◽  
Quinette A. Louw ◽  
Colum Moloney ◽  
Dominique Leibbrandt ◽  
Amanda M. Clifford

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most severe injuries in the Gaelic Athletic Association. Hop tests measure functional performance after ACL reconstruction as they replicate the key requirements for a match situation. However, research examining functional recovery of ACL-reconstructed Gaelic athletes is lacking. The objective of this study is to determine if athletes restore normal hop symmetry after ACL reconstruction and to examine if bilateral deficiencies persist in hop performance following return to sport. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate hop performance of 30 ACL-reconstructed Gaelic athletes who had returned to competition and 30 uninjured controls in a battery of hop tests including a single, 6-m, triple, and triple-crossover hop test. Results: In each test, the mean symmetry score of the ACL reconstruction group was above the cutoff for normal performance of 90% adopted by this study (98%, 99%, 97%, and 99% for the single, 6-m, triple, and triple-crossover hop, respectively). No significant differences in absolute hop scores emerged between involved and control limbs, with the exception of the single-hop test where healthy dominant limbs hopped significantly further than ACL-reconstructed dominant limbs (P = .02). No significant deficits were identified on the noninvolved side. Conclusions: The majority of ACL-reconstructed Gaelic athletes demonstrate normal levels of hop symmetry after returning to competition. Suboptimal hop performance can persist on the involved side compared with control limbs. Targeted rehabilitation may be warranted after returning to competition to restore performance to levels of healthy uninjured athletes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711668844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. McGrath ◽  
Gordon Waddington ◽  
Jennie M. Scarvell ◽  
Nick Ball ◽  
Rob Creer ◽  
...  

Background: Additional high-quality prospective studies are needed to better define the objective criteria used in relation to return-to-sport decisions after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in active populations. Purpose: To investigate prospectively the relationship between functional performance test results at 24 weeks postoperative and return-to-sport activity (Tegner activity score) at 12 and 24 months, respectively, after synthetic (ligament advanced reinforcement system [LARS]) and autograft (doubled semitendinosus/gracilis [2ST/2GR]) ACL reconstructions. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 64 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction (32 LARS, 32 2ST/2GR autograft; mean age, 27.9 years; body mass index [BMI], 24.9 kg/m2) were assessed preoperatively and at staged intervals postoperatively up to 24 weeks for isokinetic testing of quadriceps and hamstring average power per repetition at 60 deg/s and 180 deg/s, a battery of hop tests, peak vertical ground-reaction force (vGRF), and time to peak vGRF (in seconds) during a step- and jump-down task onto a force platform and peak speed (m/s) using a global positioning system (GPS unit) during a running task. A cohort of 32 healthy matched participants (mean age, 26.31 years; BMI, 25.7 kg/m2) were also tested to act as reference. Pearson correlation was calculated to assess correlation of each performance measure at 24 weeks postoperative with activity outcomes (Tegner score) at 12 and 24 months. Results: The strongest correlation between physical performance tests and return-to-sport outcomes was observed with peak speed during running. Large correlations were also observed for hamstring isokinetic power and hop test for distance. Moderate correlations were observed for timed hop, peak vGRF during a jump-down task, and quadriceps isokinetic power. No statistical correlations were observed for time to peak vGRF during a step-down and jump-down task as well as peak vGRF during a step-down task. When the performance tests were pooled together, mean postoperative improvements of 24% were observed from preoperative to 24 weeks within the surgical cohort. For each performance test, preoperative level of function strongly correlated with performance levels on the same test at 24 weeks. Discussion: The results of this study indicate that clinicians might seek to prioritize these tests and the rehabilitation themes they imply when seeking to maximize postoperative ACL activity outcomes. The observed strength between pre- and postoperative performance tests and return-to-sport outcomes within this study highlights the potential value of preoperative conditioning before undergoing ACL reconstruction. Future research should examine absolute predictive criterion thresholds for functional performance-based tests and reinjury risk reduction after ACL reconstruction.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110444
Author(s):  
Anne Fältström ◽  
Joanna Kvist ◽  
Martin Hägglund

Background: A new anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after ACL reconstruction is a feared outcome. Purpose: To study the risk of new knee injuries in female soccer players 5 to 10 years after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction and to compare players who returned to soccer with (1) players who did not return and (2) knee-healthy soccer players (controls). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Demographic, soccer-specific, and surgical data were recorded at baseline for 317 female soccer players (mean ± SD age, 20.1 ± 2.7 years) 1.6 ± 0.7 years after ACL reconstruction and for 119 matched controls (mean age, 19.5 ± 2.5 years). Data on new knee injuries and soccer-playing status were collected 5 to 10 years after ACL reconstruction via a questionnaire. Results: Among players with ACL reconstruction, 222 (70%) responded at a mean 6.5 ± 1.0 years after primary ACL reconstruction. We compared 3 cohorts: (1) among 163 players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer, 68 (42%) sustained 44 reruptures and 29 contralateral ruptures; (2) among 59 players with ACL reconstruction who did not return to soccer, 11 (19%) sustained 9 reruptures and 2 contralateral ruptures; and (3) among 113 knee-healthy controls, 12 (11%) sustained 13 ACL injuries. Players who returned had a >2-fold higher risk of a new ACL injury than players who did not return (risk ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.27-3.93; P = .005) and a 4-fold higher risk than controls (risk ratio, 3.93; 95% CI, 2.23-6.91; P <.001). A new ACL, meniscal, or cartilage injury was the most frequent new knee injury. Among players who returned to soccer, 68% reported a new knee injury, and they had a 2- to 5-times higher risk of any new knee injury and knee surgery than players who did not return and controls. Conclusion: Two-thirds of female soccer players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer sustained a new knee injury within 5 to 10 years; 42% had a new ACL injury. Their risk of a new knee injury and knee surgery was 2 to 5 times greater than that for players who did not return and for knee-healthy controls. New injury may have negative consequences for long-term knee health and should be a critical consideration in the decision to return to play.


Author(s):  
A. Orsi ◽  
A. Vaziri ◽  
S. Chakravarthy ◽  
P. K. Canavan ◽  
R. Goebel ◽  
...  

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common and painful injury that occurs approximately 250,000 times annually in the U.S. [1]. Articular cartilage and meniscal injuries are also associated with ACL injuries [2]. ACL injuries can often lead to degenerative osteoarthritis of the articular cartilage [2]. An epidemiology study of athletic injuries by Majewski et al. [3] determined that out of 19,530 sports injuries, 20% were ACL injuries and 8% were medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (05) ◽  
pp. 418-420
Author(s):  
Robert G. Marx ◽  
Isabel A. Wolfe

AbstractMultiple ligament knee injuries are complex and can result from sports injuries or high energy trauma. The proper diagnosis and treatment of multiple ligament knee injuries are essential, and careful evaluation and planning are required to achieve successful outcomes. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the multiple ligament injured knee is complicated by several factors, necessitating additional technical considerations. Patient selection, surgical timing, graft selection, and surgical technique require consideration specific to the ACL component of these injuries. We present a summary of the current knowledge with respect to the treatment of ACL injuries in the context of the multiple ligament injured knee.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Ashley Sweeney ◽  
Stephanie Swanberg ◽  
Suzan Kamel-ElSayed

After different sports injuries, athletes may experience various psychological emotions in response to such injuries, which could lead an athlete to feel stressed. These emotions include anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, and depression which may lead to lack of confidence in returning to their sport and/or fear of sustaining a new injury. This narrative review aims to determine the possible psychological hindrances present when an athlete is planning on returning to sport after injury to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or after sustaining a concussion. The synthesized information for this review has been collected from researching the databases PubMed, SportDiscus, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar using search terms including “return to sport”, “ACL injury”, “concussion”, and “psychology”. Journal articles needed to be in English and published in the years 2009-2019; books and unpublished abstracts were excluded. A total of 42 studies were included and analyzed using deductive coding to organize and synthesize relevant articles into themes. The review summarizes the shared common and the different psychological hindrances that may be found in athletes after an ACL injury or concussion. Shared psychological characteristics for returning to sport following either an ACL injury or concussion included fear, self-esteem, control, anxiety, stress, recovery, and social support. Discovering the common and unique psychological barriers which may affect the injured athletes from returning to sport can help educate athletes’ families, coaches, and healthcare professionals, as well as promote discussions for the future to help athletes feel more secure in their return to their respective sport. KEYWORDS: ACL Injuries; Concussions; Sport Injuries; Athletes; Narrative Literature Review; Psychological Hindrances; Psychological Characteristics; Return to Sport; Psychology


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