Arundale, Amelia J.H.2018-05-042018-05-042017http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/23137In its three aims this dissertation explored the outcomes of a primary prevention program, rehabilitation and return to sport after ACL reconstruction, and a secondary ACL injury prevention program. The FIFA11+ is a primary prevention program that reduces knee injuries in men’s collegiate soccer, however has not been examined in women’s collegiate soccer and it remains unknown if the program is effective in changing movement patterns associated with ACL injuries. In its first aim this dissertation established smallest detectable change and minimal important difference values for motion analysis of a drop jump. Then using these values to provide clinical context, this study found that although effective in reducing non-contact lower extremity injuries, the FIFA11+ did not reduce knee injuries or change biomechanical risk factors. In the second aim this dissertation explored if professional male athletes in Major League Soccer (MLS) after ACL reconstruction were at an increased risk for injuries, beyond their known increased risk for a new knee injury, and how returning to play after ACL reconstruction affected their career length. This study found that although not at an increased risk for lower extremity injury, MLS athletes had shorter careers compared to age matched controls. Seemingly these athletes made a return to sport but not a return to their preinjury level of performance. In its third aim this study explored the outcomes of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Specialized Post-Operative Return to Sports (ACL-SPORTS) program, a secondary prevention program designed to help bridge the gap between physical therapy discharge and return to sport. This study found that both men and women had increases in objective and self-reported outcome measures over the course of the training program, with the exception of quadriceps strength limb symmetry. Men had an increase in quadriceps strength limb symmetry with the program, where women’s strength symmetry remained the same. Further examination of the men found that 95% returned to their preinjury level of sport and only one had a second ACL injury (incidence 2.5%) in the two years following ACL reconstruction.Biological sciencesHealth and environmental sciencesAnterior cruciate ligamentPreventionRehabilitationSoccerThesis10340056252017-11-10en