Jumping performance based on duration of rehabilitation in female football players after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE: To determine if female football players who had longer durations of rehabilitation, measured in months, after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction would have lower tuck jump scores (fewer technique flaws) and smaller asymmetries during drop vertical jump landing. METHODS: One-hundred-and-seventeen female football players, aged 16–25 years, after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction (median 16 months, range 6–39) were included. Athletes reported the duration of rehabilitation they performed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Athletes also performed the tuck jump and drop vertical jump tests. Outcome variables were: tuck jump score, frontal plane knee motion and probability of peak knee abduction moment during drop vertical jump landing. RESULTS: There was no difference in tuck jump score based on duration of rehabilitation (n.s.). No interaction (n.s.), difference between limbs (n.s.), or duration of rehabilitation (n.s.) was found for peak knee abduction moment during drop vertical jump landing. No interaction (n.s.) or difference between limbs (n.s.) was found for frontal plane knee motion, but there was a difference based on duration of rehabilitation (P = 0.01). Athletes with > 9 months of rehabilitation had more frontal plane knee motion (medial knee displacement) than athletes with < 6 months (P = 0.01) or 6–9 months (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: As there was no difference in tuck jump score or peak knee abduction moment based on duration of rehabilitation, the results of this study press upon clinicians the importance of using objective measures to progress rehabilitation and clear athletes for return to sport, rather than time alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.