Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Current return‐to‐sport screening paradigms after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are inadequate as they fail to reflect cognitive‐motor sports demands. This pilot study aimed to evaluate dual‐task ability in individuals with ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using a novel dual‐task test paradigm. Specifically, we compared (1) cognitive and motor performance between individuals with ACLR and controls, (2) hop test performance between the injured and non‐injured legs within the ACLR group, and (3) performance across test‐retest sessions. Materials and Methods Twenty sports active individuals (10 ACLR, 10 controls) performed the dual‐task paradigm twice within a week, comprising a cognitive test, a dual‐task drop‐vertical hop test, and an upper‐body hand‐tapping test. All tests incorporated a visuospatial working‐memory task (cognitive performance), with the latter two additionally engaging attention, decision‐making, and inhibitory control (motor performance). Between‐group, between‐leg, and test‐retest differences were analyzed using independent and paired t ‐tests with Cohen’s d effect sizes (ESs). Test–retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), along with the within‐person standard deviation and minimal detectable change. Results No significant differences were observed between ACLR and controls at the first test session ( p = 0.09 − 0.34; ESs = 0.19–0.62 [very small–medium]), although ACLR mean performances were 3.8%–14.1% lower. At retest, ACLR performed significantly worse than CTRL for most outcomes ( p = 0.01 − 0.03; ESs = 0.91–1.17 [large]) and showed smaller improvements for a hop test outcome ( p = 0.04; ES = 0.97 [large]). No differences were found between ACLR legs, both groups improved across test sessions, and test–retest reliability was excellent for ACLR (ICCs = 0.74–0.97) and ranged from poor to excellent in CTRL (ICCs = 0.19–0.86). Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary reliability of the dual‐task paradigm, particularly within the ACLR group. Poorer cognitive, hop, and upper‐body test performances and smaller test–retest improvements for the ACLR group suggest persistent dual‐task deficits following injury, supporting the paradigm’s utility for ecologically valid ACL rehabilitation and return‐to‐sport assessment.
Source: Translational Sports Medicine
DOI: 10.1155/tsm2/1073180
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $840
OpenAlex ID: W7120011167