The Influence of Cognitive Dual Tasking on the Outcomes of the Triple Hop Test Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction involves prolonged rehabilitation, with Return to Sport (RTS) as a key goal for athletes. Integrating Dual Task (DT) strategies, which combine cognitive and physical tasks, is critical, as multitasking mirrors real-world and sports-specific demands. Assessing how distractions affect performance is essential to optimize RTS outcomes for both the reconstructed and healthy limbs.

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of DT on the performance of the Triple Hop Test for distance (THD) in individuals' status post ACL reconstruction.

STUDY TYPE

Cross Sectional.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients post-ACL were recruited and performed THD under two conditions: single task (standard condition) and dual task (with an added neurocognitive task). Assessments were conducted on both the healthy and the previously injured limb over six meters, measured via a standard measuring tape. Paired t-tests and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon or Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to investigate differences. Categorical variables were compared using chi-squared tests.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in average distance between single task performances in the healthy and previously operated limbs, with a difference of 20.71 cm (p=0.016). A significant difference was also observed in DT performance, with a distance variation of 10.41 cm (p=0.038). Comparing performances, both the healthy and the ACL-reconstructed limbs showed performance deterioration under DT conditions, with a greater percentage decline in the healthy limb.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual Task conditions appear to hinder performance in the THD in both the healthy and post-ACL reconstructed limbs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3b.