Horizontal jumping biomechanics among elite male handball players with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. An inertial sensor unit-based study

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most devastating injuries that any handball player can suffer during landing and pivoting actions. The aim of this study was to analyze the horizontal jumping biomechanics among male elite handball players with or without previous ACLR. Descriptive study. Spanish elite male handball players. Twenty-six male participants (6 ACL-R and 20 uninjured controls) were recruited. Two horizontal hopping tasks were evaluated using an inertial sensor unit (ISU)-based technology to assess jumping biomechanics through a direct mechanics-based approach. Non-significant differences were found in relation to any of the biomechanical or performance related analyzed variables. Previously ACL-R elite male handball players who have returned to the top level of sports participation do not seem to possess lasting biomechanical and/or performance deficits 6 years after the original surgical ligament repair. •Players who had previously undergone ACLR are able to restore their full jumping performance.•Reinjury risk monitorization through biomechanical screening appear to be crucial for injury prevention.•Low cost and portability settle ISUSs as a new tool for evaluation of biomechanical impairment.