Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
05:07
Author Spotlight: Implementing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Concept in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
1.4K
Kinesiophobia Associates With Physical Performance in Patients With ACL Reconstruction: A Critically Appraised Topic
Shlok Bandodkar1, Moein Koohestani2, Ava Schwartz2
1Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
|April 23, 2025
Summary
Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) after ACL reconstruction is linked to poorer physical performance. This includes reduced functional movement and altered landing biomechanics, impacting return to sport. Understanding this link is key for rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common and debilitating for active individuals.
- Kinesiophobia, or fear of movement/reinjury, is a primary barrier to returning to sport post-ACL reconstruction.
- Understanding the impact of kinesiophobia on physical performance is crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between kinesiophobia and physical performance in patients with a history of ACL reconstruction.
- To determine if fear of movement correlates with deficits in strength, functional movement, and biomechanics.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of five cross-sectional studies was conducted.
- Studies examined bivariate relationships between kinesiophobia and various physical performance metrics.
- Participants had a history of primary, unilateral ACL reconstruction.
Main Results:
- Greater kinesiophobia showed negligible association with isometric knee flexion torque and no association with knee extension torque.
- Higher kinesiophobia correlated with asymmetric single-leg step-down performance and shorter single-leg hop distances.
- Kinesiophobia was associated with poorer drop jump landing biomechanics, including increased frontal plane motion and decreased sagittal plane motion at the hip and knee.
Conclusions:
- Very low-quality evidence suggests a muscle-specific link between kinesiophobia and strength.
- Low- to moderate-quality evidence indicates that greater kinesiophobia is associated with impaired functional movement and landing biomechanics.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing kinesiophobia in ACL rehabilitation to improve physical outcomes.
