Determination of factors affecting balance in adults with anterior cruciate ligament injury

Feyzulov, R. (2025). Investigation of the Factors Affecting Balance in Adults with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Master's Thesis, İstanbul Atlas University Postgraduate Education Institute, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, İstanbul. This thesis was conducted to determine the factors affecting static and dynamic balance in adults with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and to compare these individuals with healthy controls. The study included 24 individuals with ACL injuries and 24 healthy participants. Knee flexion and extension muscle strength and endurance, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, physical activity levels, and quality of life were assessed. Balance was measured using the Single Leg Stance Test (with eyes open and closed) for static balance, and the YBalance Test for dynamic balance. The ACL group showed significantly poorer performance than healthy individuals in all balance tests (p<0.05). Additionally, in the ACL group, balance scores were strongly associated with parameters such as knee extensor strength, physical function, and pain (p<0.05). According to multiple linear regression analysis, open-eye static balance was predicted by knee extensor strength and SF-36 physical function subscale by 60%, while closed-eye static balance was predicted by 50%, and dynamic balance by pain, knee extensor strength, and closed-eye static balance by 32%. These results suggest that ACL injury affects not only periarticular muscle strength and proprioceptive capacity but also functional independence and quality of life. In light of these findings, it is emphasized that post-ACL rehabilitation programs should include comprehensive approaches focusing not only on balance training and muscle strengthening but also on improving psychosocial factors. Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, balance, muscle strength, kinesiophobia, quality of life