Functional Performance Deficits Exist in Female NAIA Collegiate Athletes With History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This study compared preseason measures of standing long jump (SLJ) and single-leg hop (SLH) distances between female collegiate athletes with or without history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The data from 45 female collegiate athletes (mean age: 20.6 +- 2.2 years) competing at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) level in three team sports (volleyball, soccer, and basketball) were collected as a subanalysis of measures for a prospective cohort study. There were no differences in SLJ or SLH distances between athletes with or without prior history of low back and/or lower extremity sports injuries. However, female athletes with prior ACLR jumped (SLJ; P = .02) and hopped (left SLH; P = .03) significantly shorter distances than female counterparts with no prior ACLR. Functional performance testing of female athletes in the preseason can identify athletes who may benefit from targeted exercise interventions. [ Athletic Training & Sports Health Care . 2016;8(5):216-221.