ACL Jump Landing Scores Show No Gap Between Injury Types

The researchers wanted to see if people who tore their ACL in a contact clash performed differently on a landing error test than those who hurt it without contact. They looked at 129 patients who had a first, isolated ACL reconstruction. The group was mostly young, averaging about 21 years old, with equal numbers of men and women. Follow‑up lasted roughly eight months. Seventy‑one percent of the injuries happened without contact, while the rest were contact injuries.

When the landing scores were compared, the numbers were essentially the same for both groups. The total LESS score, the frontal component, and the sagittal component all showed no statistical difference (p = .93, .83, .98 respectively). Many participants still made several mistakes during the test, indicating that landing mechanics deserve attention even late in rehab. Strength tests and patient surveys also did not differ between the two injury types.

Because the results were similar, clinicians should not assume that one mechanism is safer for future movement. The choice to clear an athlete for play depends on many factors, and jump landing technique is one that can be improved. Therapists are encouraged to keep working on error reduction throughout recovery, not just early on.

This investigation was classified as Level III evidence, meaning it is an observational study without a control group. The findings suggest that the way an ACL injury occurred does not dictate landing performance after surgery. Coaches, patients, and rehab specialists should keep focusing on safe landing habits regardless of injury origin.