The validity and reliability of the Vail Sport Test™ as a measure of performance following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Phys Ther Sport. 2019 Jul:38:162-169. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.05.001. Epub 2019 May 21.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the validity and inter-session reliability of the Vail Sport Test™.

Design: Cohort study-exploratory methodological research design.

Setting: Clinical Research Laboratory.

Participants: Forty-eight participants who underwent ACL-R.

Main outcome measure: Participants performance on the Vail Sport Test™ was graded by an experienced rater in real-time, and simultaneously recorded by a three-dimensional (3D) motion capture system. Construct validity was assessed using the reference standards of the camera system and the IKDC short form. To determine the between-day reliability, a subset of participants returned to repeat the test.

Results: There were no significant difference between the scores collected in real-time and from the kinematic data on the involved limb (p = 0.222). There was a significant difference for the uninvolved limb (p = 0.015). There was no significant difference between the scores collected in real time and those of the IKDC (p = 0.885). Good inter-session reliability (ICC = 0.787) was found for the involved limb.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed good reliability and partially support the validity of the Vail Sport Test as a measure of readiness to return to play.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / surgery
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / methods*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Return to Sport*
  • Sports*
  • Young Adult