WHOLE-BODY CHANGE OF DIRECTION TASK EXECUTION ASYMMETRIES AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

The angle and speed at which a change of direction (COD) manoeuvre is performed is strongly associated with lower limb mechanical loading. Asymmetries present in these factors after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may therefore influence the interpretation of inter-limb differences in joint-level biomechanical variables. We investigated the presence of asymmetries in centre of mass (COM) deflection and body rotation during a 90° COD manoeuvre in 144 male athletes 9 months after ACLR. COM deflection during stance phase was reduced on the operated limb, and differences in body orientation, COM heading angle and velocity at touchdown were observed. Differences in task execution may require consideration when interpreting joint-level inter-limb asymmetries after ACLR, although further work is needed to determine clinical relevance