biostudies-literatureUnknown16(2)Zink GP2019 AOSSM/Aircast RTS Research Award<h4>Background</h4>Among young athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the extent to which psychological readiness is influenced by factors beyond the psychological domain is largely unknown.<h4>Hypothesis</h4>Young athletes with recent sport exposure and higher quadriceps strength will demonstrate higher psychological readiness within 8 weeks of medical clearance to return to sport (RTS) after ACLR.<h4>Study design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Level of evidence</h4>Level 3.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 38 young athletes after primary ACLR completed testing within 8 weeks of medical clearance to RTS. All participants completed isometric knee extension strength testing, in addition to the ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) questionnaire. Athletes who participated in sport between time of medical clearance to RTS and date of study enrollment were categorized as SPORT-YES. Those who had not yet participated in sports were categorized as SPORT-NO. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine differences in ACL-RSI scores based on quadriceps strength and sport exposure status, while adjusting for age and sex.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 38 participants, 20 (52.6%) were categorized as SPORT-YES. The regression model estimating overall ACL-RSI score (<i>P</i> < 0.01, adjusted <i>R</i>² = 0.389) included significant independent contributions from age, sex, and sport exposure variables (age: <i>P</i> = 0.01, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = -2.01 [-3.54, -0.48]; sex (male): <i>P</i> = 0.02, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = 12.50 [2.36, 22.64]; strength: <i>P</i> = 0.51, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = -2.47 [-10.07,5.13]; sport exposure: <i>P</i> < 0.01, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = 12.89 [3.58, 22.19]).<h4>Conclusion</h4>In partial accordance with our hypothesis, recent sport exposure was significantly associated with higher ACL-RSI scores among young athletes in the weeks after medical clearance to RTS after ACLR, while quadriceps strength was not.<h4>Clinical relevance</h4>Future prospective work is needed to determine the existence and direction of causal relationships between exposure to sport environment and psychological readiness among young athletes after ACLR.Sports health239-246https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10916781biostudies-literatureThe Influence of Strength and Sport Exposure on Psychological Readiness After ACL Reconstruction.PMC10916781Paterno MVZink GPZwolski CMThomas SMSchmitt LCfalseThe Influence of Strength and Sport Exposure on Psychological Readiness After ACL Reconstruction.<h4>Background</h4>Among young athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the extent to which psychological readiness is influenced by factors beyond the psychological domain is largely unknown.<h4>Hypothesis</h4>Young athletes with recent sport exposure and higher quadriceps strength will demonstrate higher psychological readiness within 8 weeks of medical clearance to return to sport (RTS) after ACLR.<h4>Study design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Level of evidence</h4>Level 3.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 38 young athletes after primary ACLR completed testing within 8 weeks of medical clearance to RTS. All participants completed isometric knee extension strength testing, in addition to the ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) questionnaire. Athletes who participated in sport between time of medical clearance to RTS and date of study enrollment were categorized as SPORT-YES. Those who had not yet participated in sports were categorized as SPORT-NO. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine differences in ACL-RSI scores based on quadriceps strength and sport exposure status, while adjusting for age and sex.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 38 participants, 20 (52.6%) were categorized as SPORT-YES. The regression model estimating overall ACL-RSI score (<i>P</i> < 0.01, adjusted <i>R</i>² = 0.389) included significant independent contributions from age, sex, and sport exposure variables (age: <i>P</i> = 0.01, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = -2.01 [-3.54, -0.48]; sex (male): <i>P</i> = 0.02, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = 12.50 [2.36, 22.64]; strength: <i>P</i> = 0.51, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = -2.47 [-10.07,5.13]; sport exposure: <i>P</i> < 0.01, <i>β</i> [95% CI] = 12.89 [3.58, 22.19]).<h4>Conclusion</h4>In partial accordance with our hypothesis, recent sport exposure was significantly associated with higher ACL-RSI scores among young athletes in the weeks after medical clearance to RTS after ACLR, while quadriceps strength was not.<h4>Clinical relevance</h4>Future prospective work is needed to determine the existence and direction of causal relationships between exposure to sport environment and psychological readiness among young athletes after ACLR.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar-Apr2025-04-04T14:05:03.776Z2025-04-04T14:05:03.776ZS-EPMC109167813828848210.1177/19417381231223522