The effect of autograft type on progression of phase-specific loading asymmetries in the counter-movement jump from six to nine months post-ACLR

Hamstring tendon (HT) and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts are associated with different strength and jump impulse asymmetries after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The aim of this study was to evaluate graft-specific effects on changes in isokinetic strength and bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) phase-specific impulse asymmetries during late-stage rehabilitation post-ACLR. Male athletes (n=44) with either a HT or BPTB autograft completed testing at 6 and 9 months post-surgery. Autograft type did not influence progression of isokinetic strength, eccentric deceleration or concentric impulse asymmetry. Asymmetries in concentric impulse, knee flexor strength and knee extensor strength decreased over the three-month period. Changes in strength asymmetry had little or no ability to explain changes in jump impulse asymmetry.