Problem

  1. To measure the level of recovery after an ACL tear in relation to soccer

Refining the Problem

  1. The population for this test will be young, college age males ranging in ages from 18 to 24. The target population is soccer players recently injured with an ACL tear. This test is mainly for collegiate athletes, but could also be used for club soccer players as well.
  1. This test wills serve as a final clearance to return the player to full game play or demonstrate that more recovering and conditioning is needed. It should be administered after the athlete’s doctor and P.T. have cleared them to train on their own.
  1. This test will be used to give clearance to play soccer again following an ACL tear. These five categories make up the areas of concern for a recovering athlete while playing soccer and thus should all be tested thoroughly. Failure in any of these categories will result in being eliminated from full clearance and relegated back to training or even further recovery if performance is extremely poor.. Each category will be rated 1-3 and anything lower than a 3will be considered failure. The test components will measure the athletes abilities in:
  1. Speed
  2. Agility
  3. Strength
  4. Balance
  5. Endurance

Instrumentation and Methodology

  1. The athlete’s performance will be rated on a scale of three possible choices.
  2. Not cleared for activity (1)
  3. Completed 100 meter dash >15 seconds, obvious pain
  4. Completed 50 meter suicide drill in >3 minutes , obvious pain
  5. Leg press <100% body weight 8 times for 3 sets, obvious pain
  6. Stand on each leg for <45 minute w/o falling or assistance, obvious pain
  7. 1 ½ miles in >9 minutes, obvious pain
  8. Cleared to train, but not play (2)
  9. Completed 100 meter dash between 12 and 15 seconds, minor pain
  10. Completed 50 meter suicide drill between 2 and 3 minutes , minor pain
  11. Leg press 100% - 125% body weight 8 times for 3 sets, minor pain
  12. Stand on each leg for 45 seconds to 1 minute w/o falling or assistance, minor pain
  13. 1 ½ miles within 9 minutes, minor pain
  1. Cleared to play full games (3)
  2. Completed 100 meter dash in less than 12 seconds, no pain
  3. Completed 50 meter suicide drill in 2 minutes ,no pain
  4. Leg press >150% body weight 8 times for 3 sets ,no pain
  5. Stand on each leg >1 minute w/o falling or assistance, no pain
  6. 1 ½ miles in 8 minutes or less, no pain
  1. Administrative notes

This test should only be administered by a professional or overseen by a professional. Given the nature and severity of the injury, a professional with in-depth knowledge about the injury, recovery, and athlete himself should administer or oversee the test. This is to avoid further complications and insure the test is done to the highest standards for the athletes own safety.

  1. Equipment needed:
  2. Tape
  3. Cones
  4. Leg Press
  5. Stop watch (time keeping device)
  6. Training needed:
  7. First Aid/CPR
  8. Athletic Training
  9. Facilities:
  10. Track/gymnasium

Analysis of Results

  1. Athletes will be required to get a 3 in each category to be cleared for game play. A 2 will result in be relegated back to training to increase performance until another check is ready. A 1 will result in being relegated back to physical therapy and exercises deemed safe for the current level of recovery. Any pain or discomfort that is reported during the test will also be factored into the resulting decision. Any discomfort felt will relegate the patient back to more training before being cleared for active play.

Grading Rubric

Test Administer______Athlete name______Date______

Score / Speed / Agility / Strength / Balance / Endurance
1 / Completed 100 meter dash >15 seconds, obvious pain / Completed 50 meter suicide drill in >3 minutes , obvious pain / Leg press <100% body weight 8 times for 3 sets, obvious pain / Stand on each leg for <45 seconds w/o falling or assistance, obvious pain / 1 ½ miles in >9 minutes, obvious pain
2 / Completed 100 meter dash between 12 and 15 seconds,
minor pain / Completed 50 meter suicide drill between 2 and 3 minutes , minor pain / Leg press 100% - 125% body weight 8 times for 3 sets, minor pain / Stand on each leg for 45 seconds to 1 minute w/o falling or assistance, minor pain / 1 ½ miles within 9 minutes, minor pain
3 / Completed 100 meter dash in less than 12 seconds, no pain / Completed 50 meter suicide drill in 2 minutes ,
No pain / Leg press >150% body weight 8 times for 3 sets ,
No pain / Stand on each leg >1 minute w/o falling or assistance,
No pain / 1 ½ miles in 8 minutes or less,
No pain

Final decision Cleared / Needs more training / Needs more therapy Physician Signature ______

Reference

ACL Surgical Recovery Expectations. (2016). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from

recovery/acl-rehab-expectations.html