Functional Performance Tests for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Insufficient Athlete

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
David H. Perrin, Former Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Considerable controversy exists regarding the functional assessment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficient athlete. Traditionally, clinicians have speculated that certain physical characteristics, such as muscular strength and power and joint laxity, should be assessed and used to predict functional capacity. Recent research has refuted the relationship between these physical characteristics andfunctional capacity, and has suggested the best assessment of functional capacity is acheived through the use of three functional performance tests. This paper describes three objective functional performance tests (FPTs) that have been shown to be accurate assessments of functional capacity in the A CL insufficient athlete. To assist the clinician with the assessment of the A CL insufficient athlete's readiness to return to pre-injury levels of activity, mean values on three FPTs were established for healthy Division I intercollegiate athletes (n = 30 males, n = 15 females). Collectively, these FPTs provide the clinician with new objective parameters by which to dynamically assess the functional capabilities of the A CL insufficient athlete. The results of these tests help provide a basis for determining an athlete's readiness to return to sport activity.

Additional Information

Publication
Athletic Training 26, 44-50
Language: English
Date: 1991
Keywords
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Functional Performance Tests

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