Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Is Associated With Knee Kinematic Asymmetry During Gait Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background Gait asymmetry is frequently observed following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Psychological readiness to return to sport is associated with functional and activity-related outcomes after ACLR. However, the association between gait asymmetry and psychological readiness to return to sport is unknown. Objectives To determine the relationship between kinematic and kinetic measures of knee symmetry during gait and psychological readiness to return to sport following ACLR. Methods In this controlled laboratory, cross-sectional study, 79 athletes (39 women) underwent gait analysis following impairment resolution after ACLR (ie, full range of motion, minimal or no effusion, quadriceps strength index of 80% or greater). Interlimb differences during gait were calculated for sagittal plane knee angles at initial contact, peak knee flexion, and peak knee extension, as well as for peak knee flexion moment and peak knee adduction moment. Athletes completed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-R...