English Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common
sports injuries. Recent studies connect ACL reconstruction with long-term
complications, knee joint degeneration, and osteoarthritis. Therefore, this study aimed
to assess the effect of the Knakontroll ACL prevention protocol on the mechanical
risk factors of developing non-contact ACL injuries among female athletes. Methods:
Thirty females aged between 18 to 35 years playing different sports at an amateur
level participated voluntarily. Tuck jump, static balance, dynamic balance, and hop
tests were tested pre-intervention, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. The
Knäkontroll ACL prevention program was performed thrice per week for four weeks.
Instructions and videos were delivered via video calls (remotely) in the first session of
each week, and the remaining two sessions were done as a home program. All data
were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive
statics (mean and standard deviation), repeated-measures ANOVA, and means of
difference were calculated. Results: The significant improvements for all the tests was
shown after the fourth week, (static balance with eyes open (Mean ± standard
deviation, 163 ± 42.50 sec, Mean of Difference (MD) = 114 sec, 95% CI [102.45,
125.60], P < 0.001), Cross over hop test (MD = 33.22 cm, 95% CI [29.73, 36.71], P <
0.001, np2 = 0.90), and Y-balance posterolateral (103 ± 9.00 cm) (MD = 23.02 cm,
95% CI [21.64, 24.40], P < 0.001). Only in tuck jump test the biggest difference in
scores was seen between the second and fourth weeks (MD = 5.47 points, 95% CI
[4.80, 6.14], P < 0.001, np2 = 0.94). Conclusion: The Knakontroll ACL prevention
protocol effectively reduces ACL injury risk factors by improving the static and
dynamic balance, jump and hop abilities. It can also be applied to athletes remotely as
a quick intervention before sporting events.
