Maximum Oxygen Uptake in ACL-injured Professional Soccer Players
Maximum Oxygen Uptake in ACL-injured Professional Soccer Players
Our purpose is to evaluate maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in ACL-injured professional soccer
 players and after a six-month period of post-operative rehabilitation, compared to a control
 group of healthy professional soccer players.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is considered a major injury and may affect the
 career of professional soccer players. Surgical ACL reconstruction is often required to treat
 the resulting knee instability. Although ACL reconstruction is considered a successful
 procedure in restoring knee stability, literature shows that only 55% of the participants
 return to competitive sports participation after surgery. Soccer players need technical,
 tactical and physical skills to succeed, such as good knee function and aerobic capacity. Our
 purpose is to evaluate maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in ACL-injured professional soccer
 players and after a six-month period of post-operative rehabilitation, compared to a control
 group of healthy professional soccer players.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  ACL injury

 -  professional soccer player

 -  adult

 -  male

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Multiple ligament injury

 -  knee effusion

 -  unable to perform the examination on the treadmill

 -  ACL reconstruction failure

 -  reoperation due to any cause during the follow-up period

 -  goalkeeper