Can Neuromuscular Training Alter Movement Patterns

A prospective randomized controlled trial will be used to evaluate the efficacy of post-operative perturbation training. 80 patients who were regular participants in activities that involve cutting, pivoting, jumping, and lateral movements prior to injury who range in age from 13-55 at the time of injury are eligible. All eligible subjects must undergo primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Using a prospective randomized design, 40 subjects who will be block randomized by sex to 40 patients who will receive 10 sessions of post-operative perturbation training in addition to standard agility and return to activity progression and forty who receive only standard agility and return to activity progression. Post-operative perturbation training will be initiated when the athlete is at least 12 weeks post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, has full range of motion and achieves 80% quadriceps strength symmetry, the criteria we currently use for beginning return to activity progression.