Longitudinal assessments of strength and dynamic balance from pre-injury baseline to 3 and 4 months after labrum repairs in collegiate athletes.

Background: There is a lack of quantitative assessments of athletes' functional strength and dynamic balance following labrum repairs. Purpose:To compare the upper extremity strength and dynamic balance among pre-injury baseline and approximately 3 and 4 months after labrum surgeries in collegiate athletes to identify critical values to inform rehabilitation. Methods:Fifteen male and one female collegiate athletes between 18 and 22 years old were tested at pre-injury baseline (n = 14) and 2.7 (n = 16) and 3.8 months (n = 12) after labrum surgeries. Strength was assessed using the peak forces produced in a maximal push-up test. Dynamic balance was assessed using the reaching distances in a reaching test. Results:The injured side's peak forces significantly decreased from the baseline to the 3-month post-surgery and then significantly increased between the 3-month and 4-month post-surgery assessments but remained significantly less at the 4-month post-surgery compared to the baseline (p ≤ 0.024; Cohen's dz ≥ 0.75). Peak force asymmetries were greater at the 3-month and 4-month post-surgery assessments than the baseline (p ≤ 0.005; Cohen's dz ≥ 1.02). Conclusion:With a relatively small sample size, the results support the use of objective functional assessments for rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions among collegiate athletes following labrum repairs.