ACL: Mindset Important to Adolescent Athletes Too

Psychological profile does affect knee function and return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in both adolescent and adult athletes, especially female athletes, according to the study, “How Is Psychological Outcome Related to Knee Function and Return to Sport Among Adolescent Athletes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction” published on May 16, 2019 in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

The study evaluated psychological readiness to return to sport, knee-related self-efficacy and motivation among both adolescent (15-20 years old) and adult (21-30 years old) athletes after ACL reconstruction. The researchers also compared the athletes who recovered their muscle function and returned to sport to those who did not.

Data was collected on 384 (50% female) athletes at the 8-month follow-up and 271 athletes (52% female) at the 12-month follow-up.

Athletes who had recovered their muscle function reported enhanced self-efficacy and higher motivation (p = .0007) to go for their goals.

Both adolescent and adult athletes who returned to sport also reported higher levels on the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale and the ACL-Return to Sport After Injury scale at both 8-month and 12-month follow-ups. Subgroup analysis by gender also found that these findings were truer among the female athletes as opposed to the male athletes.

Susanne Beischer, RT, MSc, a physical therapist at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and colleagues wrote, “Adolescent athletes, especially females, perceived enhanced self-efficacy, had a higher return-to-sport rate, and were more motivated to reach their goals after ACL reconstruction compared with adults. Regardless of age, athletes who had returned to sport and athletes with more symmetrical muscle function had a stronger psychological profile.”

Beischer told OTW, “This study shows that the association between return to sport and a stronger psychological profile is valid in younger athletes (previous studies have shown this in adult athletes).

“Moreover, this study indicates an association between age and psychological outcomes, muscle function and psychological outcomes and return to sport and psychological outcomes. Therefore, we suggest, in accordance with previous literature, that psychological aspects need to be addressed in the assessment of a patient. We cannot only use one test of muscle function; we need to use a battery of tests and combine them with psychological patient reported outcomes.”