EVALUATION OF PROPRIOCEPTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Rehabilitation after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is an essential element to treat knee instability. Proprioception improvement is one of the most important goals of the rehabilitation program (Rehm, A. et. all 1997). The aim of this paper is to evaluate proprioception of professional football players 6 months after the ACL reconstruction in comparison to proprioception of healthy football players using the Dynamic Riva Test

Evaluation of functional limitations in female soccer players and their relationship with sports level--a cross sectional study.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: the aim of this study was to analyze: a) abnormalities in the length of lower limb muscles, b) the correctness of movement patterns, and c) the impact of functional limitations of muscles on the correctness of fundamental movement patterns in a group of female soccer players, in relation to their skill level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 female soccer players from Polish Ekstraklasa and 22 players from the 1(st) Division were tested for lower limb muscle length restrictions and level of fundamental movement skills (with the Fundamental Movement Screen™ test concept by Gray Cook). Chi-square test was used for categorical unrelated variables. Differences between groups in absolute point values were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher number of measurements indicating an abnormal length of rectus femoris was observed in the 1st Division group (p = 0.0433). In the group of Ekstraklasa the authors obtained a significantly higher number of abnormal hamstring test results (p = 0.0006). Ekstraklasa players scored higher in the rotational stability test of the trunk (p = 0.0008), whereas the 1st Division players scored higher in the following tests: deep squat (p = 0.0220), in-line lunge (p = 0.0042) and active straight leg raise (p = 0.0125). The results suggest that there are different functional reasons affecting point values obtained in the FMS™ tests in both analyzed groups. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in the flexibility of rectus femoris and hamstring muscle observed between female soccer players with different levels of training, may result from a long-term impact of soccer training on the muscle-tendon system and articular structures. Different causes of abnormalities in fundamental movement patterns in both analyzed groups suggest the need for tailoring prevention programs to the level of sport skills represented by the players

Percentage and absolute number of players who scored the given no. of points in FMS™ tests in the two groups.

<p>Percentage values and number of players.</p

Relationships between the player’s level of training and normal and abnormal results recorded during the assessment of muscle length and patellofemoral joint test.

<p>Percentage values and number of players.</p

Group differences between muscle flexibility and FMS™ test results.

<p>Group differences between muscle flexibility and FMS™ test results.</p

Analysis of differences in FMS™ test results among players with different soccer skill levels.

<p>Analysis of differences in FMS™ test results among players with different soccer skill levels.</p

Descriptive characteristics of players participating in the study.

<p>Descriptive characteristics of players participating in the study.</p

Arthroscopically assisted combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autologous hamstring grafts-isokinetic assessment with control group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to: 1) evaluate the differences in pre-post operative knee functioning, mechanical stability, isokinetic knee muscle strength in simultaneous arthroscopic patients after having undergone an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with hamstring tendons reconstruction, 2) compare the results of ACL/PCL patients with the control group. DESIGN: Controlled Laboratory Study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of 11 ACL/PCL patients had been matched with 22 uninjured control participants (CP). Prior to surgery, and minimum 2 years after it, functional assessment (Lysholm and IKDC 2000), mechanical knee joint stability evaluation (Lachman and "drawer" test) and isokinetic tests (bilateral knee muscle examination) had been performed. Different rehabilitation exercises had been used: isometric, passive exercises, exercises increasing the range of motion and proprioception, strength exercises and specific functional exercises. RESULTS: After arthroscopy no significant differences had been found between the injured and uninjured leg in all isokinetic parameters in ACL/PCL patients. However, ACL/PCL patients had still shown significantly lower values of strength in relative isokinetic knee flexors (p = 0.0065) and extensors (p = 0.0171) compared to the CP. There were no differences between groups regarding absolute isokinetic strength and flexors/extensors ratio. There was statistically significant progress in IKDC 2000 (p = 0.0044) and Lysholm (p = 0.0044) scales prior to (44 and 60 points respectively) and after the reconstruction (61 for IKDC 2000 and 94 points for Lysholm). CONCLUSIONS: Although harvesting tendons of semitendinosus and/or gracilis from the healthy extremity diminishes muscle strength of knee flexors in comparison to the CP, flexor strength had improved. Statistically significant improvement of the knee extensor function may indicate that the recreation of joint mechanical stability is required for restoring normal muscle strength. Without restoring normal muscle function and strength, surgical intervention alone may not be sufficient enough to ensure expected improvement of the articular function

Knee function subjective analysis in ACL/PCL patients.

<p>Knee function subjective analysis in ACL/PCL patients.</p

Absolute and relative isokinetic strength in ACL/PCL patients.

<p>significant time effects. Wilcoxon signed rank test; (p = 0.0033).</p