The Influence of Strength and Sport Exposure on Psychological Readiness After ACL Reconstruction
Griffin P Zink1,2, Christin M Zwolski1,3,4,5, Staci M Thomas4
1School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Background:
Among young athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the extent to which psychological readiness is influenced by factors beyond the psychological domain is largely unknown.
Hypothesis:
Young athletes with recent sport exposure and higher quadriceps strength will demonstrate higher psychological readiness within 8 weeks of medical clearance to return to sport (RTS) after ACLR.
Study Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Level Of Evidence:
Level 3.
Methods:
A total of 38 young athletes after primary ACLR completed testing within 8 weeks of medical clearance to RTS. All participants completed isometric knee extension strength testing, in addition to the ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) questionnaire. Athletes who participated in sport between time of medical clearance to RTS and date of study enrollment were categorized as SPORT-YES. Those who had not yet participated in sports were categorized as SPORT-NO. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine differences in ACL-RSI scores based on quadriceps strength and sport exposure status, while adjusting for age and sex.
Results:
Of the 38 participants, 20 (52.6%) were categorized as SPORT-YES. The regression model estimating overall ACL-RSI score (P < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.389) included significant independent contributions from age, sex, and sport exposure variables (age: P = 0.01, β [95% CI] = -2.01 [-3.54, -0.48]; sex (male): P = 0.02, β [95% CI] = 12.50 [2.36, 22.64]; strength: P = 0.51, β [95% CI] = -2.47 [-10.07,5.13]; sport exposure: P < 0.01, β [95% CI] = 12.89 [3.58, 22.19]).
Conclusion:
In partial accordance with our hypothesis, recent sport exposure was significantly associated with higher ACL-RSI scores among young athletes in the weeks after medical clearance to RTS after ACLR, while quadriceps strength was not.
Clinical Relevance:
Future prospective work is needed to determine the existence and direction of causal relationships between exposure to sport environment and psychological readiness among young athletes after ACLR.
More Related Videos
06:27Author Spotlight: Investigating Early Events and Long-Term Effects of ACL Injuries for Osteoarthritis Progression
Published on: September 29, 2023
08:13Development and Implementation of a Multi-Disciplinary Technology Enhanced Care Pathway for Youth and Adults with Concussion
Published on: January 20, 2019
