AOSSM 2022 Annual Meeting Recordings - no CME-Science and Wearables: Can it Guide Clinical Decision Making?

Science and Wearables: Can it Guide Clinical Decision Making?

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the video, the speaker discusses the use of wearables in guiding decision-making for return to play in athletes post ACL injury. They mention traditional methods of assessment such as subjective rating scales, strength testing, hop testing, and functional testing. However, the speaker argues that these methods have limitations and may not accurately reflect an athlete's pre-injury function. They introduce the use of wearable technology, such as GPS systems and inertial movement analysis, to track variables like total distance, explosiveness, and side-to-side balance. The speaker shares their experience using wearable technology in a study with ACL injured players at the University of Alabama, noting that traditional testing indicated a 5.4 month return to play, but GPS data showed only 60% of athletes reaching a 90% threshold, taking about 10 months on average. The speaker concludes that wearable technology provides more accurate insights into an athlete's return to pre-injury function and enhances confidence in allowing athletes back to play.

Asset Caption

E. Lyle Cain, MD

Keywords

wearables

decision-making

return to play

ACL injury

wearable technology