Changes in Isokinetic Muscle Strength of the Lower Extremity in Recreational Athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Objective:To investigate changes in muscle strength in the lower extremity after ACL reconstruction.Design:Prospective case series.Dependent Variables:Isokinetic muscle strength measured in 6 movements (hip extension/flexion, hip adduction/abduction, knee extension/flexion) and circumference of the thigh/calf.Setting:Clinic and home.Patients:44 (24 men, 20 women) between the ages of 16 and 47 years with an ACL rupture. All underwent reconstruction via a semitendinosus autograft.Main Outcome Measures:The peak torque for each joint movement was recorded. Repeated-measures ANOVA and power analysis were conducted to detect significant interaction effects.Results:The decline of muscle strength after ACL reconstruction remained not only in the knee extensors and flexors but also in the hip adductors.Conclusion:Rehabilitation programs that address the behavioral patterns and physiological characteristics of an ACL injury will benefit the athlete’s whole body and lead to a full recovery.

The effect of physiotherapy on knee joint extensor and flexor muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon

“…Upon comparison of our study results with those obtained by other authors, we noted that Urabe et al [19] did not obtain equalization of extensor muscle strength of the involved knees even after 12 months of rehabilitation, and at that time they reported a strength deficiency ranging from 8% to 10% in the involved legs. Such differences in time (delay) of muscle strength regain might have been due to the physiotherapeutic program.…”

Isokinetic muscle strength and readiness to return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: is there an association? A systematic review and a protocol recommendation

“…Seven were classified as good,43 45–47 53 55 66 26 as fair3 5–9 21 23 37–39 41 42 44 48–50 52 54 56 60–67 and 6 as poor 29 40 51 57–59. Thirty studies did not include all important adverse events that could have an effect on the intervention reported (criterion 8),5–7 9 21 23 29 38–40 42–52 54 56 57 59 60 63 64–67 23 studies did not adequately describe the source population and how they were recruited (criterion 11 and 12),3 5 6 8 21 37–40 42 44 48–52 54 57–60 64 65 24 studies did not describe if the source population was recruited in the same time period (criterion 22),3 8 9 23 29 37–42 44 48–52 54–58 63 64 66 and 29 studies did not report sample size calculation (criterion 27) 3 6–8 21 23 29 38–44 49–53 56–61 63–67. Other criterion, such as criterion 22 and 23, were not commonly fulfilled due to most studies not being randomised, while criterion 14 and 15 were not commonly reported due to lack of blinding.…”

“…Mode of contraction and angular velocity were reported in all the studies reviewed, but not all studies reported all aspects of their protocols. Of the 39 studies, 11 (28%) did not report number of repetitions,7 9 39 43 45 46 52 54 58 61 66 25 (64%) did not report range of motion,3 6–9 29 38 39 41 43 47–51 54 55 57 58 60 61 63 64–66 and 29 (74%) studies did not report if gravity correction was used 3 6 7 9 21 29 37 38–45 47 49 50 53–55 57 58 60 61 64–67…”

“…The two most common angular velocities reported were 60°/s and 180°/s in 29 (74%) and 18 (46%) studies, respectively. Abundant data exists for these selected velocities and have been shown to highlight strength deficits 37 40 50 55 57 61 63 66. Torque output decreases as angular velocity increases above 60°/s, and the maximum torque output is shown to be between 0 and 60°/s 72.…”

“…Furthermore, inclusion criteria did not specify a minimum period post-ACLR at which the strength assessment occurred. However, studies which had a short time line post-ACLR testing, also tested at a time period of at least 5 months postsurgery 7 29 40 43 45–47 49 51 56 57. Previous research has demonstrated intermanufacturer (Cybex, Kin-Com and Biodex) variance exists using the same protocol 78 79.…”