Determining return-to-sport status with a multi-component assessment strategy: a case study in rugby.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes are often distorted by the athlete's desire to return and can result in injury recurrence. Athletic assessments allow for objective and reliable measurements to track rehabilitation progress. This case study used a multi-component assessment strategy to assess a rugby player's lower-extremity strength and symmetry as a primary determinate of their return-to-sport status.


METHODS
A professional rugby league player was assessed for lower-extremity isokinetic strength and sprint kinetics pre- and 10-weeks post-rehabilitation programme following two consecutive knee injuries involving surgical intervention.


RESULTS
Pre-testing analysis showed clinical and functional strength deficits in the injured leg as high as 34% compared to the non-injured leg. Pre- to post-testing showed: increases in peak torque (49%) and decreased asymmetries by 50%; unilateral horizontal force increased (injured: 50%, non-injured: 19%) during sprinting; force production asymmetries decreased up to 18%.


CONCLUSIONS
The rugby player showed clinical and functional strength deficiencies return to normal ranges following a rehabilitation programme. A return-to-sport decision was made by the athlete's supporting health team based on the sizeable asymmetry decreases and return-to-normative ranges for knee and hip strength and sprint kinetics. The athlete returned to the 2013 National Rugby League season without any major injuries.
Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Level 2, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand. Electronic address: scott.brown@aut.ac.nz.
Scott R
SR
Brown
Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Level 2, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand. Electronic address: mbrughel@aut.ac.nz.
Matt
M
Brughelli
D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function
Athletic performance; Dynamometry; Kinetics; Sprinting