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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02148172

Optimizing Plyometric Training for Functional Recovery Post-ACL Reconstruction

While surgical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) of the knee restores passive stability, studies are showing consistently poor long-term outcomes. Unusually high risks of early-onset osteoarthritis and re-injury, and low rate of return to sport following ACLR all seem to be related to a chronic tendency to land stiff-legged from a jump or hop, which itself may be due to fear of re-injury. Decreased knee bending for force absorption simultaneously decreases performance level and increases risk for injury and arthritic changes.

The purpose of the proposed study is to compare a current best-practice plyometric training program to one utilizing body weight support to increase repetition and improve performance in the initial phases. The investigators hypothesize that we will see larger improvements in absorptive capacity of the knee and better confidence in activity immediately following body weight support training, as well as improved retention of training effects after a two-month period.

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Key information

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Knee Injuries Knee Injury Leg Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

12 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Montana, Movement Science Laboratory

Missoula, Montana, 59812, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • speak and understand English
  • age between 12-35 years
  • unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 6-48 months prior
  • activity level greater than or equal to level 5 on the Tegner Activity Scale

Exclusion criteria

  • Weight in excess of 300 pounds (136 kg)
  • contralateral/bilateral ACL reconstruction or an unreconstructed ACL injury
  • history of a posterior cruciate ligament injury
  • lower extremity of back injury or other condition (e.g. cerebral palsy) that has limited their normal activities of daily living within the last 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Standard Plyometric Training

Procedure

Participants will undergo individualized practice exercises of jumping, hopping, and cutting tasks consistent with standard published exercises.

Plyometric Training with BWS

Procedure

Participants will undergo individualized practice exercises of jumping, hopping, and cutting tasks consistent with standard published exercises while their body weight is supported via adjustable harness.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in sagittal plane knee kinetics and kinematics

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

  2. Change in psychological readiness for sports activities via survey scores

    Time frame: baseline and after 8 weeks of training

  3. Change in motor patterning via electromyography of quadriceps and hamstring muscles

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

Secondary outcomes

  1. Retention of Biomechanical Adaptions in Knee kinetics and kinematics

    Time frame: Change from end of 8 weeks of training to 2 month follow-up

  2. Retention of adaptations in Psychological Readiness for Sport via survey

    Time frame: Change from end of 8 weeks of training to 2 month follow-up

  3. Retention of adaptations in motor patterning via electromyography

    Time frame: Change from end of 8 weeks of training to 2 month follow-up

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Montana

Other

Collaborators

  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • Foundation for Physical Therapy, Inc.

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
May 28, 2014
Registry last updated
Apr 25, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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