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Introduction A decrease in proprioceptive sensation occurs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, there is relatively little research on proprioceptive rehabilitation, compared with studies on muscle strength and range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of supplementing a traditional rehabilitation program with proprioceptive training in ACLR patients to improve knee function, psychological readiness, pain and dynamic balance in the early postoperative period. Methods This was a randomized, parallel-group, controlled trial in which 48 patients were enrolled in either proprioceptive group ( n  = 24) or control group ( n  = 24) from the first week up to 12 th weeks of the operation. Participants in the control group received a traditional ACLR rehabilitation program, while the proprioceptive group received additional proprioceptive training in addition to the traditional ACLR rehabilitation program. The outcome measures included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), the ACL Return to Sport After Injury scale (ACL-RSI), the visual analog scale (VAS), and the Y-Balance Test before and after surgery. Results We found that, at 12 weeks post—surgery, patients in the proprioceptive group had significantly higher IKDC scores compared to those in the control group (74.8 ± 4.3 vs 71.6 ± 5.2, P = 0.04). At the 12 th week, the ACL-RSI score of patients in the proprioceptive group was greater than that of the control group (68.2 ± 9.2 vs 62.8 ± 8.2, P = 0.04). The Y balance comprehensive index (YBCI) in the proprioceptive group of patients was greater than that in the control group (94.5% ± 3.3% vs 91.5% ± 4.1%, P  = 0.01) at 12 weeks after surgery. No statistically significant differences in the VAS score were found between the two groups. Conclusions Proprioceptive training is superior to conventional training in terms of knee function, psychological readiness and dynamic balance 12 weeks after ACL reconstruction surgery, but has no statistically significant effect on pain. Trial registration (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.chictr.org.cn ), No. ChiCTR2400087631, 7/31/2024).

Purpose To describe individuals’ expectations, motivation, and satisfaction before, during, and after rehabilitation for ACL reconstruction and to explore how these factors were associated with return to pre-injury sport activity at 1-year follow-up. Methods Sixty-five individuals (34 males), median age 22 (15–45) years, scheduled for ACL reconstruction participated. Participants completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) and questions about expectations, satisfaction, and motivation pre-operatively and at 16 and 52 weeks after surgery. Results Prior to surgery, 86 % of participants stated that their goal was to return to their pre-injury sport activity. Those who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity at 52 weeks were more motivated during rehabilitation to return to their pre-injury activity level, more satisfied with their activity level and knee function at 52 weeks, and scored significantly higher on the IKDC-SKF [median 92.0 (range 66.7–100.0)] at 52 weeks, compared to those who had not returned [median 77.6 (range 50.6–97.7)]. Conclusion Prior to ACL reconstruction, most participants expected to return to their pre-injury activity level. Higher motivation during rehabilitation was associated with returning to the pre-injury sport activity. The participants who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity were more satisfied with their activity level and knee function 1 year after the ACL reconstruction. Facilitating motivation might be important to support individuals in achieving their participation goals after ACL reconstruction. Level of evidence Prospective cohort study, Level II.

Purpose A precise and consistent definition of return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is lacking, and there is controversy surrounding the process of returning patients to sports and their previous activity level. The aim of the Panther Symposium ACL Injury RTS Consensus Group was to provide a clear definition of RTS and description of the RTS continuum, as well as to provide clinical guidance on RTS testing and decision-making. Methods An international, multidisciplinary group of ACL experts convened as part of a consensus meeting. Consensus statements were developed using a modified Delphi method. Literature review was performed to report the supporting evidence. Results Key points include that RTS is characterized by achievement of the pre-injury level of sport and involves a criteria-based progression from return to participation to return to sport, and ultimately return to performance. Purely time-based RTS decision-making should be abandoned. Progression occurs along a RTS continuum with decision-making by a multidisciplinary group that incorporates objective physical examination data and validated and peer-reviewed RTS tests, which should involve functional assessment as well as psychological readiness. Consideration should be given to biological healing, contextual factors and concomitant injuries. Conclusion The resultant consensus statements and scientific rationale aim to inform the reader of the complex process of RTS after ACL injury that occurs along a dynamic continuum. Research is needed to determine the ideal RTS test battery, the best implementation of psychological readiness testing and methods for the biologic assessment of healing and recovery. Level of evidence IV.

Purpose The impetus of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is to allow patients to return to sport and to remain engaged in physical activity. Many patients exhibit deficits in psychological domains of health-related quality of life which may impede return to sport and physical activity participation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association of patient-based, specifically psychological, and functional outcomes with return to sport and physical activity. Methods Forty participants, a minimum of 1-year post-ACLR, reported to the laboratory for one-testing session. Participants completed a series of patient-based and functional outcome assessments. Participants were also instructed to wear a pedometer for 1 week to monitor their daily steps. Results Twenty-five participants (62%) did not return to sport and 29 participants (72%) did not average 10,000 steps per day. Individuals with elevated levels of self-reported kinesiophobia were 17% less likely to return to sport. Self-reported knee self-efficacy and knee-related quality of life accounted for 27.1% of the variance of average daily step counts. Conclusions Psychological factors, specifically injury-related fear and self-efficacy, were associated more significantly than functional outcomes with return to sport and physical activity levels. Clinicians should examine psychological factors throughout rehabilitation in patients after ACLR. Future research should explore the effectiveness of psychoeducation techniques to decrease injury-related fear and enhance self-efficacy in this population. Level of evidence III.

Purpose Psychosocial interventions have shown potential in reducing the fear of re-injury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but this has not been systematically reviewed. The aim of this study was to assess the available evidence on the effect of psychosocial interventions on kinesiophobia after ACLR. Methods Two independent researchers conducted a systematic search in the electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from their inception until May 2022. They included studies that utilised a randomised controlled study design with a control group, and measured kinesiophobia using the Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia in patients who underwent primary ACLR. The outcome of interest was the mean and standard deviation of kinesiophobia. Extracted data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, version 3.0 (CMA.V2), employing a random-effects model to calculate the overall effect estimates of psychosocial interventions on Kinesiophobia. The standardised mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was computed based on the mean and standard deviation in each group. Results This systematic review and meta-analysis included 5 randomised controlled trials with a total of 213 patients who underwent ACLR. The results of the meta-analysis showed that psychosocial intervention was more effective than non-psychosocial comparators in reducing kinesiophobia among patients who underwent a primary ACLR (5 trials, MD 0.56, 95% CI 0.28–0.83, p  < 0.001). The heterogeneity score was zero ( I 2  = 0%; n.s. for Cochran’s Q test), indicating no significant variation among the studies. Conclusions Psychosocial interventions can alleviate kinesiophobia in patients with primary ACLR. Although the limited number of reviewed studies and their methodological limitations precludes drawing a definitive conclusion regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on kinesiophobia, these promising findings can serve as a basis for developing psychological strategies to manage kinesiophobia in patients with primary ACLR and can also guide future research this issue. Level of evidence II. Trial registration This trial is registered in PROSPERO on December 2021 (CRD42021282413).

Psychological readiness to return to sport has been shown to be associated with future play after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery but has not been extensively studied in adolescent athletes. To investigate the psychometric properties of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale in adolescent athletes at multiple time points after ACL reconstruction surgery and determine whether psychological readiness scores at 6 months predict return to competition sport at 12 months. Case series. Private orthopaedic clinic. A total of 115 adolescent athletes (65 girls, 50 boys) 17 years and younger who had undergone primary unilateral ACL reconstruction. The ACL-RSI scale was administered at 6 and 12 months after surgery, and return-to-sport status was also documented. Factor analysis was undertaken and predictive validity assessed using between-groups comparisons and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve statistics. The ACL-RSI scores increased between 6 and 12 months (55 to 71; P < .001, effect size = 0.98). No floor or ceiling effects were present, and the scale had high internal consistency (Cronbach α at 6 months = 0.91 and at 12 months = 0.94). Principal component analysis showed that 2 factors were present: the first represented performance confidence and risk appraisal and the second, emotions. For the full-scale ACL-RSI, scores at 6 months had acceptable predictive ability for a return to play at 12 months (area under the ROC curve = 0.7, P = .03). When the 2 identified factors were analyzed separately, the emotions factor also had acceptable predictive ability (area under the ROC curve = 0.73, P = .009), but the confidence in performance and risk appraisal factors had poor predictive ability (area under the ROC curve = 0.59, P = .09). Greater psychological readiness was associated with return to sport in adolescent athletes after ACL reconstruction, with the athletes' emotional response appearing to be more influential than their confidence in their performance or their appraisal of risk.

Purpose Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is a major limiting factor in the return to pre-injury sport level after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The aim of this study was to gain insight into the prevalence of kinesiophobia pre-ACLR, 3 months post-ACLR and 12 months post-ACLR. Furthermore, the preoperative predictability of kinesiophobia at 3 months post-ACLR was addressed. Methods A retrospective study with data, which were prospectively collected as part of standard care, was conducted to evaluate patients who underwent ACLR between January 2017 and December 2018 in an orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index), injury-to-surgery time, preoperative pain level (KOOS pain subscale) and preoperative knee function (IKDC-2000) were used as potential predictor variables for kinesiophobia (TSK-17) at 3 months post-ACLR in linear regression analysis. Results The number of patients with a high level of kinesiophobia (TSK > 37) reduced from 92 patients (69.2%) preoperatively to 44 patients (43.1%) 3 months postoperatively and 36 patients (30.8%) 12 months postoperatively. The prediction model, based on a multivariable regression analysis, showed a positive correlation between four predictor variables (prolonged injury-to-surgery time, high preoperative pain level, male sex and low body mass index) and a high level of kinesiophobia at 3 months postoperatively ( R 2  = 0.384, p  = 0.02). Conclusion The prevalence of kinesiophobia decreases during postoperative rehabilitation, but high kinesiophobia is still present in a large portion of the patients after ACLR. Timing of reconstruction seems to be the strongest predictor for high kinesiophobia 3 months post-ACLR. This study is the first step in the development of a screening tool to detect patients with kinesiophobia after ACLR. Identifying patients preoperatively opens the possibility to treat patients and thereby potentially increase the return to pre-injury sport level rate after ACLR. Level of evidence III.

Background Rehabilitation following successful ACL reconstruction (ACLR) requires restoring physical strength, neuromuscular function, and psychological readiness. However, the interplay between reactive agility, strength, and psychological confidence across rehabilitation phases remains unclear, particularly when compared to uninjured individuals. This study investigates the interrelationships between the reactive agility test (RAT), the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and the anterior cruciate ligament return-to-sport after injury (ACL-RSI) scale across three rehabilitation phases (Phase 4 [P4], return-to-play [RTP]1, and RTP2) following ACLR. The aim was to examine how reactive agility, strength, and psychological readiness evolve over time and compare ACLR participants to a healthy control group. Methods Fifteen ACLR participants (15–27 years old) and thirty healthy controls (18– 30 years old) completed RAT, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and ACL-RSI assessments. ACLR participants were assessed at three rehabilitation phases (P4, RTP1, and RTP2), while controls completed a single testing session. Repeated measures analyses were used to track mean changes in performance across rehabilitation phases, and between-group comparisons were conducted using independent samples tests. Results ACL-RSI scores improved significantly across phases (p = 0.001), exceeding the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), indicating progressive psychological recovery. Reactive agility improved, with faster left-side decision-making (split 2) from P4 to RTP1 (p = 0.037), while right-side agility remained stable but met the SWC threshold (1.1%). Limited between-group differences in total RAT times and sub-phases suggest ACLR participants regained agility comparable to controls. IMTP strength plateaued after RTP1, reinforcing the greater role of agility and cognitive factors within the RTP framework. Conclusions Reactive agility and psychological confidence progressively improved post-ACLR, with decision-making speed recovering earlier than acceleration ability. Minimal between-group differences suggest rehabilitation effectively restores agility, but directional asymmetries and plateaued strength warrant targeted interventions. Future research should explore neurocognitive training to optimize RTP outcomes and minimize re-injury risk. Trial registration Clinical trial number not applicable.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during contact sports has a high incidence that has not been reduced despite the immense resources devoted to understanding its aetiology. A neurocognitive approach could increase knowledge of the mechanisms contributing to ACL injury enabling practitioners to address and minimise future risk. To systematically review the influence of manipulating cognitive demands during motor tasks (i.e. degree of uncertainty) on biomechanical variables associated with ACL injury risk. A systematic review was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions by searching the major sporting electronic databases. The search strategy included four groups of terms and was conducted by two authors independently. All studies were screened using unique inclusion criteria, with the included studies assessed for risk of bias. Twenty-five studies were identified from 2031 records and included into the review process. During the experimental conditions where cognitive demands were higher, most biomechanical indicators associated with a greater risk of ACL injury during landing and cutting tasks were significantly enhanced compared with conditions with low or no cognitive demands. An increase in task complexity through cognitive load significantly leads to changes in mechanisms associated with ACL injury during single-leg landings and cutting movements. Consequently, coaches and exercise professionals should consider inclusion of dual-task paradigms or uncertainty during injury risk assessment scenarios and injury prevention programs to help identify athletes at risk of ACL injury and reduce ACL injury frequency. This protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO ) in May 2022, with the registration number CRD42022315795.

Female patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are less likely to return to sport than males. Psychological readiness predicts successful return to sport, but it is unclear if psychological experiences differ between males and females during recovery. To explore gender differences in psychological readiness factors of return to sport after ACLR. Qualitative study. Laboratory. A total of 12 male (months since surgery = 6.2 ± 1.2) and 13 female (months since surgery = 6.4 ± 1.3) high school athletes with a history of ACLR. Participants were interviewed before physician clearance to return to activity. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using deductive thematic coding of 5 themes identified from previous research (psychological distress, self-efficacy, locus of control, athletic identity, and fear of reinjury) and inductive secondary subthematic coding. Gender comparisons were generated within primary themes and secondary subthemes. All deductive themes were consistently reinforced. Male and female participants reported fear of movement, loss of athletic identity, and motivational mindsets for return to sport and self-improvement. Males reported a stronger sense of internal locus of control using positive internal reinforcement, whereas females described balancing internal and external control and valuing external support systems. Male participants described mood changes influenced by physical and social limitations. Female participants closely monitored their emotions throughout recovery and were influenced by rehabilitation fluctuations. Male and female high school athletes described different psychological factors related to return to sport and locus of control as well as psychological distress. Gender-specific psychological interventions may be warranted to overcome psychological barriers after ACLR.