The relationship between injury-related fear and physical activity in people with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between fear-avoidance beliefs and physical activity (PA) in people with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design: Modified cross-sectional. Setting: Research laboratory Participants: A total of 19 participants with a history of unilateral ACLR. Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), a valid and reliable measure of FAB measured across two subscales (FABQ-Sport and FABQ-Physical Activity (PA)). Higher scores indicated greater FAB. The participants were provided a wearable accelerometer to wear on the wrist for one-week to capture PA outcomes (vertical counts per minute and average steps/day). Results: Weak, non-statistically significant positive correlations were identified between average daily steps per day (11,237.7 ± 5667.7), FABQ-PA (6 ± 8; r = 0.12, p = .63) and FABQ-S (8 ± 15; r = 0.26, p = .35). Weak, non-statistically significant negative correlations were identified between vertical counts per minute (131.4 ± 141.4) and FABQ-PA (r = −0.13, p = .59) and no relationship was observed with FABQ-Sports (r = 0.00, p = .98). Conclusions: There were no significant relationships between FABs and PA. The ability for individuals to remain physically active, with measurable levels of FABs (greater than 0), may be due to other psychological variables that should be further examined.