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Functional performance deficits in athletes with previous lower extremity injury
Scott F Nadler1, Gerard A Malanga, Joseph H Feinberg
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA. Sfnadler@cs.com
Summary
Freshman athletes with a history of lower extremity injury showed slower 20-meter shuttle run times. This suggests potential lingering functional deficits, possibly due to insufficient high school-level treatment, impacting athletic performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Athletic Training
Background:
- Previous lower extremity injuries can lead to residual functional deficits.
- These deficits may persist even after clinical resolution of symptoms.
- Such deficits might impact athletic performance, particularly in collegiate athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of prior lower extremity injuries on 20-meter shuttle run performance.
- To investigate if clinically resolved injuries affect athletic functional capacity.
- To identify potential performance decrements in collegiate athletes due to past injuries.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- 213 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes participated.
- Performance was measured by the time to complete a 20-meter shuttle run.
Main Results:
- Freshman athletes with a history of lower extremity injury demonstrated significantly slower shuttle run times compared to freshmen without such history (p = 0.01).
- No significant performance difference was observed in non-freshman collegiate athletes, irrespective of injury history (p = 0.98).
Conclusions:
- Residual kinetic chain deficits may persist post-injury, potentially missed in standard physical evaluations.
- Slower shuttle run times in freshmen may indicate inadequate prior treatment or benefits from core strengthening programs.
- Further research is needed to confirm the cause-and-effect relationship of these functional deficits.