The reliability of postural control method in athletes with and without ACL reconstruction: a transitional task

[Purpose] To evaluate the intra- and inter-session reliability of dynamic postural control in ACL reconstruction and matched control athletes. [Subjects and Methods] By using force plate, the postural controls of both groups (20 ACLR and 20 healthy matched controls) were assessed during the transitional task from DLS to SLS. The outcome variables included COP displacement and area and the mean velocity of COP. [Results] The balance measures had moderate to high correlation for area (ICC=0.64–0.73) and rang of fore-aft (Rfa) (ICC=0.66–0.80) in the ACLR group and Rfa (ICC=0.70–0.86) in the healthy group. High to very high reliability was seen for rang of sideway (Rsw) (ICC=0.76–0.96) and mean velocity (Mv) (ICC=0.81–0.98) in ACLR and area (ICC=0.70–0.98) and Rsw (ICC=0.84–0.98) and Mv (ICC=0.89–0.97) in the healthy group. [Conclusion] Force plate measures of postural control demonstrated moderate to very high reliability in athletes with and without ACLR during the transitional task. The results of the recent study showed that the assessment of transitional task postural control in athletes with ACLR may reliably be incorporated in the evaluation of the physical function.