Background: Strength and power is often reduced on the involved versus contralateral limb and healthy controls after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, but no study has compared with preinjury values at the time of return to sport (RTS). Hypothesis: Divergent recovery patterns in strength and power characteristics will be present at RTS relative to preinjury baseline data and healthy matched controls. Study Design: Cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Isokinetic strength tests, bilateral and single-leg countermovement jumps (CMJ; SLCMJ) were measured before ACL rupture in 20 professional soccer players. These then had surgical reconstruction (ACL group) and completed follow-up testing before RTS. Healthy controls (uninjured group) were tested at the same time as the ACL group preinjury. Values recorded at RTS of the ACL group were compared with preinjury. We also compared the uninjured and ACL groups at baseline and RTS. Results: Compared with preinjury, ACL normalized quadriceps peak torque of the involved limb (difference = -7%), SLCMJ height (difference = -12.08%), and Reactive Strength Index modified (RSImod) (difference = -5.04%) were reduced after ACL reconstruction. No significant reductions in CMJ height, RSImod, and relative peak power were indicated at RTS in the ACL group when compared with preinjury values, but deficits were present relative to controls. The uninvolved limb improved quadriceps (difference = 9.34%) and hamstring strength (difference = 7.36%) from preinjury to RTS. No significant differences from baseline were shown in SLCMJ height, power, and reactive strength of the uninvolved limb after ACL reconstruction. Conclusion: Strength and power in professional soccer players at RTS after ACL reconstruction were often reduced compared with preinjury values and matched healthy controls. Clinical Relevance: Deficits were more apparent in the SLCMJ, suggesting that dynamic and multijoint unilateral force production is an important component of rehabilitation. Use of the uninvolved limb and normative data to determine recovery may not always be appropriate.

Background: Despite advances in breast cancer treatment, recurrence remains common and contributes to higher mortality risk. Among the potential mechanisms, inflammation plays a key role in recurrence by promoting tumor progression. Exercise provides a wide array of health benefits and may reduce inflammation, potentially reducing mortality risk. However, the effects of exercise, including mode (ie, resistance training [RT], aerobic training [AT], and combined RT and AT) and program duration, on inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors remain to be elucidated. Methods: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and CENTRAL in August 2024. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of exercise on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of change. Results: Twenty-two studies were included (n = 968). Exercise induced small to large statistically significant reductions in IL-6 (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.85; 95% CI = −1.68 to −0.02; P = .05) and TNF-α (SMD = −0.40; 95% CI = −0.81 to 0.01; P = .05) and a trend for a decrease in CRP. When stratifying by exercise mode, trends toward reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α were observed for combined exercise, while changes were not generally affected by exercise program duration. Conclusion: Exercise, especially combined RT and AT, can reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers, and may be a suitable strategy to reduce inflammation in breast cancer survivors. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise mode and program duration on markers of inflammation in this survivor group.