The influence of hydrotherapy rehabilitation methods and land exercises: optimization of ACL injury recovery in football athletes

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is a common condition among football athletes that can significantly affect their performance and career. Optimal recovery requires effective rehabilitation methods to allow athletes to safely and efficiently return to competition. This study aimed to analyze the effects of hydrotherapy rehabilitation methods and land exercises on ACL injury recovery, specifically in improving the range of motion (ROM) of knee flexion and extension. A two-group pretest–posttest design was used, involving a hydrotherapy rehabilitation group and a land exercise group. ROM of the knee joint was measured using a goniometer. The results of the paired sample t-test indicated that both methods significantly improved ROM in flexion and extension (p = 0.000). These findings suggest that both methods are effective in accelerating ACL recovery. Therefore, they are recommended for inclusion in ACL injury rehabilitation programs, especially in the early recovery phase. This research contributes to the development of efficient, evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for sports medicine practitioners.