Comparison of the Chronic Effects of Training and Soccer Match Fatigue on Landing Kinematics in Healthy Players and Players with a History of ACL Surgery

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Department of Sport Rehabilitation and Health, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 shahid beheshti university

10.22037/sjrm.2025.117502.3403

Abstract

Background and Aims: Monitoring the kinematic components of the trunk, knee, hip, and ankle is an effective approach for predicting primary and secondary injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Accordingly, the aim of this study is to examine the chronic effects of fatigue caused by football training and matches on selected kinematic components of the knee and ankle in football players with and without a history of ACL surgery.

Materials and Methods: This study involved 20 football players with a history of ACL surgery and 20 players without any history of surgery, all selected purposefully from the Premier League of Tehran Province. The participants’ mean age, weight, and height were 22.93 ± 3.74 years, 73.96 ± 2.94 kg, and 1.76 ± 0.03 m, respectively. The kinematic components evaluated included the maximum knee valgus angle, maximum knee flexion, and maximum ankle dorsiflexion angle during a double-leg jump-landing pattern. Data were collected during the second half of the league season, and player fatigue was assessed using the modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. The data were then analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test.

Results: The findings revealed significant differences in the maximum knee valgus angle between healthy players and players with a history of ACL surgery, as well as in maximum knee flexion during deep landing among players with a history of surgery (P≤0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in other kinematic components (P≥0.05).

Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that fatigue caused by football matches and training at the end of the season can lead to reduced maximum knee flexion in players with a history of ACL surgery and increased knee valgus in both groups. Additionally, the knee valgus angle during landing was generally higher in players with a history of ACL surgery compared to healthy players. Furthermore, the valgus angle in players with ACL surgery was consistently higher in both pre-test and post-test assessments than in healthy players.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 September 2025
  • Receive Date: 19 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 29 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 05 September 2025
  • First Publish Date: 05 September 2025