Differences in Physical and Psychological Parameters in Sub-Elite, Male, Youth Soccer Players with Jumper's Knee Following Physical Therapy Compared to Healthy Controls: A Longitudinal Examination.
Marc Niering, Thomas Muehlbauer
PMID 33604141WHAT IT FOUND
Sub-elite male youth soccer players who completed physical therapy for jumper's knee showed slower change-of-direction and 30-m sprint times than healthy controls throughout the season.
However, jump height and endurance were not different. Psychological fear of failure was higher only at the start of the season.
Key findings
01Players with a history of jumper's knee had significantly worse performance in acyclic sprint and 30-m linear sprint tests compared to healthy controls at all four testing timeframes.
02There were no significant differences between the groups in muscle power (drop jump and jump-and-reach) or endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test) at any testing time.
03Psychological variables, specifically net hope and fear of failure, were significantly worse in the jumper's knee group only at the beginning of the season and six weeks after, but not later in the season.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study only included male sub-elite youth soccer players, so results may not apply to females, other sports, or elite athletes. The groups were not randomly assigned; the jumper's knee group was defined by their history of injury and therapy. The study did not measure baseline physical or psychological performance before the therapy began, so it is unclear if the deficits existed prior to the injury or developed during recovery. The therapy protocol was not controlled by the researchers; it was described as conventional therapy provided by external clinicians.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that jumper's knee causes permanent psychological damage. The study found that differences in fear of failure and hope for success were significant only at the start of the season and six weeks later. By 16 and 20 weeks, these psychological variables were no longer different between the groups.