Program
Athletic Training M.S.
Year Approved
2021
First Advisor
Johnson, Janet
Abstract
Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. The ACL serves as a stabilizer against anterior translation of the tibia on the femur and is among the most commonly studied injuries in orthopaedic research. After ACL reconstruction a typical return to play generally occurs 6 to 9 months after ACL reconstruction (ACLr). It’s extremely important to develop an effective and efficient rehabilitation program to ensure athletes are physically and mentally prepared to return to sport. Purpose: Does balance training improve dynamic control in ACL deficient athletes or ACL reconstruction? Results: Fifteen scholarly articles were analyzed using a matrix format and were summarized and evaluated using John Hopkins Evidence Appraisal. The validity and credibility of the articles were assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and PEDro Scale. Three of the fifteen articles did not support the critical question. The remaining articles supported the effects of balance training, dynamic control, and proprioception on ACL deficient knees or ACLr. Conclusion: The importance of balance training on ACL deficient knees in rehabilitation programs has a significant effect on functional instability of the knee. Balance and proprioceptive exercises are often integrated into ACL rehabilitation protocols and have shown to be effective in regard to enhancement of stability and dynamic control. The limitations and gaps in current review expresses the importance for further research. The additional knowledge is not limited to Athletic Trainers but also for other medical professionals. Implications for Research and Practice: Twelve current studies support the critical question while the remaining three do not. The literature encourages additional research on dynamic control in regard to ACL injuries due to the limitations and gaps in current research.
Degree Name
Athletic Training M.S.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Martin, I. (2021). Balance Training Improves Dynamic Control in ACL Deficient Athletes or Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/422
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