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Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Sep 2020After lower extremity injury, only half of the injured athletes return to their pre-injury sports level. Even though functional performance tests are often used to make...
After lower extremity injury, only half of the injured athletes return to their pre-injury sports level. Even though functional performance tests are often used to make return to sport decisions, it is unknown whether functional performance is associated with return to performance after such injuries. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, critically appraise, and analyze studies that investigated the association of functional performance tests with return to performance after lower extremity injuries in athletes participating in high-impact sports. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL were systematically searched for relevant studies. Articles were independently screened by two authors and data were obtained from each included study using a data extraction form. Two authors independently scored methodological quality using the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. A qualitative best evidence synthesis was conducted. Eight studies reported the association of functional performance with return to performance after lower extremity injuries, involving 1,246 athletes after anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. No studies were found on the association of functional performance with return to performance for lower extremity injuries other than after anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. All included studies had a high risk of bias. Two studies found significant but small associations for selected hop tests after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Low evidence of association between functional performance and return to performance was present after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for the triple hop for distance, the 6-meter timed hop, the side hop in female athletes, and for the combination of the single and crossover hop for distance. In athletes after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the vertical jump showed a significant but small association with return to performance. There is no high-quality evidence that functional performance is associated with return to performance after lower extremity injuries in athletes practicing high-impact sports. Low quality evidence suggests small associations after anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. No evidence exists for lower extremity injuries other than after anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Therefore, research on functional performance associated with return to performance is recommended in high-quality prospective cohort studies including athletes with any type of lower extremity injury.
Topics: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Athletic Injuries; Exercise Test; Humans; Lower Extremity; Physical Functional Performance; Recovery of Function; Return to Sport
PubMed: 32874110
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Oct 2019To evaluate the effectiveness of over-ground robotic locomotor training in individuals with spinal cord injuries with regard to walking performance, cardiovascular...
Effectiveness of over-ground robotic locomotor training in improving walking performance, cardiovascular demands, secondary complications and user-satisfaction in individuals with spinal cord injuries: A systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness of over-ground robotic locomotor training in individuals with spinal cord injuries with regard to walking performance, cardiovascular demands, secondary health complications and user-satisfaction.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost and Engineering Village.
STUDY SELECTION
Trials in which robotic locomotor training was used for a minimum of 3 participants with spinal cord injury.
DATA EXTRACTION
Independent extraction of data by 2 reviewers using a pre-established data abstraction table. Quality of evidence assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
DATA SYNTHESIS
Total of 27 non-controlled studies representing 308 participants. Most studies showed decreases in exertion ratings, pain and spasticity and reported positive well-being post-intervention. Seven studies were included in meta-analyses on walking performance, showing significant improvements post-intervention (pā<ā0.05), with pooled effects for the 6-min walking test and 10-metre walking test of-0.94 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) -1.53,-0.36) and -1.22 (95% CI -1.87,-0.57), respectively. The Timed Up and Go Test showed a positive pooled effect of 0.74 (95% CI 0.36, 1.11). Improvements in walking parameters were seen with an increase in session number; however, no significant cardiovascular changes were found over time.
CONCLUSION
Robotic locomotor training shows promise as a tool for improving neurological rehabilitation; however, there is limited evidence regarding its training benefits. Further high-powered, randomized controlled trials, with homogenous samples, are required to investigate these effects.
Topics: Humans; Physical Therapy Modalities; Robotics; Spinal Cord Injuries; Walking
PubMed: 31511902
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2601