Nicky van Melick | Rob Bogie

Reference values for quadriceps and hamstrings strength & double- and single-leg jump tests

During rehabilitation of athletes after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the operated leg is often compared to the non-operated leg when performing strength and jump tests. This helps to determine whether it is safe for the athlete to return to sports. However, the non-operated leg may also have deteriorated and is therefore not always the best comparison.

For this reason, these two studies aimed to establish reference values for pivoting sport athletes. In the first study on quadriceps and hamstring strength, 42 articles with reference values were found. The second study on double- and single-leg jump tests found 26 articles with reference values. If three or more articles described reference values for a specific sport, that sport was given its own table. Thus, there are separate tables for strength tests in soccer, basketball, and handball. For the jump tests, there are separate tables for soccer and basketball. The reference values for all other sports were summarized in one additional table.

All reference values are also summarized on our website: www.aclreferencevalues.nl.

We hope these reference values will help daily practitioners when treating athletes after ACLR!

References:

• van Melick N, van der Weegen W, van der Horst N, Bogie R. Double-leg and single-leg jump test reference values for athletes with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction who play popular pivoting sports, including soccer and basketball: a scoping review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(6):1-14.

• van Melick N, van der Weegen W, van der Horst N. Quadriceps and hamstrings strength reference values for athletes with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction who play popular pivoting sports, including soccer, basketball, and handball: a scoping review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(3):142-155.