Walking and running roll-off characteristics in patients with ACL reconstruction history
Ali Sharifi1, Hamed Esmaeili1, Vahid Zolaktaf1
1Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
Gait mechanics alternation is one of side effects after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Foot roll-off characteristics shows whole gait mechanics and is not well known in ACLR patients. The purpose of present study was to investigate the roll-off process characteristics while walking and running in patients with ACLR history.
Research Question:
Is there any difference in walking and running roll-off characteristics between patients with ACLR history and healthy individuals?
Methods:
48 physically active males (24 healthy and 24 with ACLR history) participated in this study. Participants walked and ran on a footscan (Rsscan International) which was mounted in the midway of a 18 m runway at the speeds of 2 m·s-1 and 3.3 m·s-1. Center of pressure (COP) trajectory, timing of stance subphases, foot progression angle and contact time were calculated bilaterally in walking and running. Mixed-design MANOVA was used to examine effect of ACLR on the outcomes.
Results:
The results showed that ACLR participants had greater foot progression angle (p = .001) and more medially oriented COP trajectory in forefoot push-off phase (FFPOP) of waking (p = .001) and running (p = .001), but showed shorter contact time in running compared to healthy group (p = .02). Involved leg in ACLR group showed greater foot progression angle (p = .001) and more medially directed COP trajectory in FFPOP of walking (p = .001) and running (p = .01) compared to uninvolved side. Also, involved leg had shorter contact time (p = .04) and shorter relative time in the forefoot contact phase (p = .001), and longer relative time in forefoot flat phase (p = .001) during running.
Significance:
Based on the results, it can be concluded that ACLR affects running and walking roll-off characteristics which can show altered mechanics. Running shows remarkable differences in roll-off process than walking. So, it is recommended to use running in post-ACLR assessments rather than walking.
