Athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction display substantial impairments in knee biomechanics during neurocognitively challenged drop landings

Abstract

Abstract Background Reactive decision-making during athletic movement has been demonstrated to evoke unfavorable biomechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. However, the current evidence is based on assessments of healthy individuals. We aimed to investigate unplanned jump landing kinetics and kinematics in both ACL-reconstructed and non-injured athletes. Results The ACLR group produced lower knee flexion angles (-10%) during landing (p < .05). In addition, COP path lengths (+ 10%) and GRF (+ 21%) were higher for participants with a history of injury (p < .05). ACLR participants also scored lower for reaction time (p = .02) and processing speed (p = .01). Strong correlations (rho > .7) were found between aberrant lower limb biomechanics and deficits in cognitive function (p < .05). Conclusions Impaired reactive decision-making during athletic movement may contribute to the high re-injury risk in in individuals with ACLR. Prospective studies confirming potential cause-effect relationships are warranted.