Distance Reached in the Anteromedial Reach Test as a Function of Learning and Leg Length

The Anteromedial Reach Test (ART) is a new outcome measure for assessing dynamic knee stability in anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients. The effect of learning and leg length on distance reached in the ART was examined. Thirty-two healthy volunteers performed 15 trials of the ART on each leg. There was a moderate correlation (r = .44–.50) between reach distance and leg length, therefore reach distances were normalized for leg length. Normalized reach distance increased significantly over the 15 trials (p < .01), reaching a plateau after 8 trials, identified by a moving average graph. It is recommended that participants be afforded eight practice trials and that reach distances be normalized by expressing them as a percentage of leg length.

Key words:

• anterior cruciate ligament
• injury
• outcome measures
• practice

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Notes on contributors

Nicholas P. Bent

Please address correspondence concerning this article to Nicholas P. Bent, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 52 Pritchatts Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK