Abstract
Objectives: Compare maximum plantar force (Fmax) during running in soccer players following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) as they pass return to sport (RTS) criteria. Design: Case control study. Methods: Soccer players after ACLR (n = 16) and matched healthy controls (n = 16) ran on a treadmill at 12, 14 and 16 km/h while plantar loading data was measured using an in-shoe pressure system (Pedar-X, Novel). Fmax and contact time of the injured and uninjured limbs in athletes <9 months post-ACLR and those ≥9 months ACLR were compared to healthy players (no ACLR). Results: Significant differences with large effect sizes in Fmax asymmetry were seen at all running speeds for the athletes <9 months ACLR compared to those ≥9 months, and the healthy subjects. Fmax difference peaked at 16 km/h; 32 ± 11%BW in <9 months ACLR group compared to 6 ± 5%BW in ≥9 months group; ES = 1.67, p < 0.01. There was a non-significant trend for increasing asymmetry with increasing speed for subjects who were <9 months after ACLR while the reverse was true for those ≥9 months and the healthy subjects. Conclusions: Relatively large unloading of the ACLR limb (but not differences in contact times) are seen during running for athletes <9 months post-ACLR despite having completed functional criteria required to permit RTS training. These asymmetries appear to slightly increase with increasing speed, and the reverse is true for healthy controls and those ≥9 months after ACLR surgery.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 890-893 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 1 Mar 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 30 Sept 2018 |
Keywords
- ACL reconstruction
- Plantar forces
- Running
- Soccer