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. 2024 Feb 27;12(2):23259671241230989.
doi: 10.1177/23259671241230989. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abnormal Lower Limb Biomechanics During a Bilateral Vertical Jump Despite the Symmetry in Single-Leg Vertical Hop Height in Athletes After ACL Reconstruction

Peng Chen  1   2 , Ling Wang  2   3 , Shiyu Dong  4 , Yue Ding  2   3 , Huiwu Zuo  3 , Shaohui Jia  3 , Guanglan Wang  3 , Can Chen  5   6 , Cheng Zheng  7
Affiliations

Abnormal Lower Limb Biomechanics During a Bilateral Vertical Jump Despite the Symmetry in Single-Leg Vertical Hop Height in Athletes After ACL Reconstruction

Peng Chen et al. Orthop J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Background: A limb symmetry index (LSI) of >90% for single-leg horizontal hop distance is recommended as a cutoff point for safe return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Despite achieving this threshold, abnormal lower limb biomechanics continue to persist in athletes after ACLR. Symmetry in single-leg vertical hop height appears to be more difficult to achieve and can be a better representation of knee function than single-leg horizontal hop distance.

Purpose: To explore whether an LSI of >90% for single-leg vertical hop height can represent normal lower limb biomechanics in athletes during a bilateral vertical jump after ACLR.

Study design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: According to the LSI for single-leg vertical hop height, 46 athletes who had undergone ACLR with an autologous ipsilateral bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon graft were divided into a low symmetry group (LSI <90%; n = 23) and a high symmetry group (LSI >90%; n = 23), and 24 noninjured athletes were selected as the control group. The kinematic and kinetic characteristics during a bilateral vertical jump were compared between the low symmetry, high symmetry, and control groups.

Results: During the propulsion phase of the bilateral vertical jump, the operated side in the high symmetry group showed a lower knee extension moment than the nonoperated side (P = .001). At peak vertical ground-reaction force, the operated side in the high symmetry group showed a lower knee internal rotation moment compared with the control group (P = .016). Compared with the nonoperated side, the operated side in the high symmetry group showed a higher hip extension moment (P = .002), lower knee extension moment (P < .001), lower ankle plantarflexion moment (P < .001), and lower vertical ground-reaction force (P = .023).

Conclusion: Despite achieving an LSI of >90% for single-leg vertical hop height, athletes after ACLR showed abnormal lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the bilateral vertical jump.

Clinical relevance: Symmetrical single-leg vertical hop height may not signify ideal biomechanical or return-to-sports readiness in this population.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; bilateral vertical jump; biomechanics; limb symmetry index; return to sports; single-leg vertical hop height.

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Conflict of interest statement

One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: Research support was received from the Research Fund for Young Teachers of Wuhan Sports University, Donghu Scholar Program of Wuhan Sports University (2019), and Young and Middle-Aged Scientific Research Team Project of Wuhan Sports University (21KT14). AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flow diagram. ACLR, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Schematic diagram of the bilateral vertical jump.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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