Mind over muscle: mental coaching tested for ACL recovery

This small study tested whether a mental training technique called 'operant conditioning' could help improve thigh muscle strength and activation after ACL reconstruction surgery. Researchers worked with 11 adults who had recently undergone ACL surgery, using encouragement and feedback to try to strengthen brain signals to the thigh muscles. The goal was to see if this mental approach could help reduce the muscle weakness that often follows ACL injuries and might lead to future knee problems.