Can Vision Training Transform ACL Rehab?
- Mark J. Lynn
- Sep 18
- 1 min read
New research suggests it can.
A recent clinical commentary published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy explores how visual perturbation training using stroboscopic eyewear—like the Senaptec Strobes—may play a key role in reducing re-injury risk and improving return-to-play outcomes after ACL reconstruction.
Key Insights from the Study
🔍 ACL injuries trigger changes in the brain—not just the knee—resulting in:
• Increased reliance on visual input for motor control
• Impaired proprioception and movement coordination
• Heightened neurocognitive demands during sport-specific movements
🧠 The study proposes sensory reweighting as a solution—using visual challenges like stroboscopic glasses to reduce visual dependency and enhance proprioceptive and cognitive motor efficiency.
Why This Matters for Rehab & Return to Sport:
• Athletes with ACL injuries often struggle with motor control when visual cues are limited or disrupted.
• Strobe training helps simulate real-world conditions—where reactions must be quick, automatic, and accurate under pressure.
• When combined with motor learning principles like external focus and implicit feedback, this approach may promote long-term, injury-resistant movement patterns.
If you work in rehab, performance, or return-to-sport training, this study offers a compelling new approach to bridge the gap between therapy and competition. Below is the full study by Timothy R. Wohl, Cody R. Criss and, Dustin R. Grooms.
