Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a gaming system in improving balance and strength after recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Existing bilateral deficits in strength and balance were also assessed among patients. METHODS: Four participants between the ages of 18-24 were recruited for this case-control study. Participants must have had ACL reconstruction surgery in the last 2 years, been discharged from formal physical therapy, and have a continued history of participating in physical activity at least three times a week. Participants were assigned to either the experimental or control groups using counterbalancing. The two experimental participants were asked to complete six weeks of guided programming on a Nintendo Ring Fit at home. Strength and balance were assessed and compared before and after the intervention, in addition to a basic analysis of current activity level and injury details. RESULTS: No improvements in strength were witnessed for the experimental (-5.07 + 2.40% change) or control (-8.28 + 5.19% change) groups. Improvements were found in ankle closed-chain dorsiflexion (38.11 + 5.02% change) and triple hop performance (27.62 + 5.18% change) for the experimental group. Participants in the experimental group made improvements toward the functional pass criterion of the Functional Movement System Motor Control Screen (9.31 + 10.40% change). The involved experimental (19.78 + 7.76 % change) improved by +3.74% more than the involved control group (16.04 + 8.21% change) in the crossover hop test. CONCLUSION: The Nintendo Ring Fit may be effective in improving balance. Further research is needed to assess its effectiveness across all measures.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Whitley Stone, Ph.D.

Disciplines

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Health Information Technology | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Sports Sciences

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