USE OF SPATIOTEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS TO DETERMINE RETURN TO SPORTS AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Objective To compare gait spatiotemporal parameters between healthy and ACL reconstructed subjects and to classify the status of gait normality. Participants Fourteen healthy and eight ACL reconstructed subjects walked along a walkway while the lower limbs movement was captured by an infrared camera system. Interventions The frames where the initial contact and toe-off happened were determined and the following dependent variables were calculated: percentage of time in initial double stance, percentage of time in single stance, percentage of time in terminal double stance, stride length and gait velocity. Initially, all variables were compared between groups using a Mann-Whitney test and, a logistic regression was applied, including all dependent variables, to create a model that could differentiate healthy and ACL reconstructed subjects. Results ACL reconstructed group showed no differences in any spatiotemporal parameter of gait (p > 0.05) in relation to the control group, although the angular kinematic differences of the knee remain altered, as evidenced in a study with similar sample. Conclusion The classifier described all subjects as healthy, including the ACL reconstructed group, suggesting the spatiotemporal variables should not be used as the sole criterion of return to sports activities at the same level as prior to injury.