TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONVENTIONAL THERAPY AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON IMPROVING JOINT STABILITY IN ATHLETES FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed in athletes to restore knee stability
and function. Post-surgical rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving joint stability and enabling safe
return to sports. Conventional therapy focuses on range of motion, muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive
training, whereas plyometric training emphasizes explosive, sport-specific movements that enhance
neuromuscular control. However, limited evidence exists comparing the effectiveness of these two
rehabilitation approaches on joint stability following ACL reconstruction. This study was a comparative
study conducted on 30 athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction. Subjects were randomly divided into
two groups: Group A received conventional therapy and Group B received plyometric training. Both groups
underwent intervention for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Outcome measures such as Single Leg Hop Test,
VAS scale, and Lysholm Knee Score were assessed before and after the intervention. Both groups
demonstrated highly significant pre- to post-test improvements (p<0.001). Hence, the null hypothesis was
rejected, indicating superior effectiveness of Group B intervention. Both therapies improved outcomes after
ACL reconstruction, but plyometric training showed significantly better results. Hence, it is more effective
for improving joint stability and functional recovery.