Injury Risk Factors Integrated Into Self-Guided Real-Time Biofeedback Improves High-Risk Biomechanics.
Scott Bonnette, Christopher A DiCesare, Adam W Kiefer and 6 others
PMID 29952696WHAT IT FOUND
Planned tests did not show that real-time biofeedback improved squatting performance more than sham during acquisition or retention.
When training blocks were averaged, real-time feedback scores were higher than sham scores, but no lasting change was found.
Key findings
01In the planned acquisition analyses, condition did not significantly affect heat-map squatting performance in acquisition phase 1 or acquisition phase 2.
02When heat-map scores were averaged across the eight acquisition trial blocks, real-time biofeedback scores were 61.82% and sham feedback scores were 57.56% (p = .006).
03No significant differences were found across the pre-test, mid-test, and post-test phases when feedback was absent.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 20 healthy collegiate athletes, so it does not show effects in patients recovering from ACL injury or in other populations. Training was brief: only 40 squat repetitions per feedback type in a single session lasting about 10 minutes. Practice was massed with minimal breaks, which may favour immediate performance but not learning. The positive real-time versus sham result came after averaging all acquisition blocks because the planned condition analyses were not significant. The study measured squatting performance, not actual ACL injury rates or transfer to sport tasks such as the drop vertical jump. The heat-map score was a novel performance measure, not an established clinical outcome.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this system provides lasting movement change or reduces ACL injury risk. The planned tests showed no significant benefit during acquisition or retention, and the better score with real feedback appeared only after training blocks were averaged.