title: Clinic-based assessment of weight-bearing asymmetry during squatting in people with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using Nintendo Wii Balance Boards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use low-cost Nintendo Wii Balance Boards (NWBB) to assess weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) in people who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to compare their results with a matched control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative clinical study using a cross-sectional design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthopedic clinic of a private hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  ACLR participants (n=41; mean age ± SD, 26.0 ± 9.8 y; current Cincinnati sports activity level, 75.3 ± 19.8) performed testing in conjunction with their routine 6- or 12-month clinical follow-up, and a control group (n=41) was matched for age, height, body mass, and physical activity level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants performed double-limb squats while standing on 2 NWBBs, 1 under each foot.
  
  
  METHODS
  The WBA variables mean mass difference as a percentage of body mass, time favoring a single limb by >5% body mass, absolute symmetry index, and symmetry index relative to the operated or matched control limb were derived. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to assess between-group differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (P<.05) increases in asymmetry in the ACLR group were found for all outcome measures except symmetry index relative to the operated limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People who have undergone ACLR are likely to possess WBA during squats, and this can be assessed using low-cost NWBBs in a clinical setting. Interestingly, the observed asymmetry was not specific to the surgical limb. Future research is needed to assess the relationship between WBA early in the rehabilitation process and long-term outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: ross.clark@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Center, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Howells
authors.affiliation: OrthoSport Victoria, Epworth HealthCare, Richmond, Australia.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.affiliation: OrthoSport Victoria, Epworth HealthCare, Richmond, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Center, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012016:Reference Values; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Injuries; Knee; Osteoarthritis; Rehabilitation