Rate of Force Development in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructed Patients

Abstract

After knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture decreased neuromuscular and sensorimotor system control, muscle activation and muscle strength (Bonsfills et al., 2008; Ingersol et al., 2008). The aim of the study was to investigate difference in knee flexion ant extension maximal isometric muscle torque (MVC) and rate of force development characteristics (RFD) during two different physiotherapy programmes in ACL-reconstructed individuals. Methods: Twelve untrained males participated in this study 3 months after ACL surgery. All participants were divided into 2 groups: i) Group 1 (n = 6) received conventional physiotherapy (3 times per week, 10 times in total); ii) Group 2 (n = 6) received conventional physiotherapy and leg-press training (3 times per week, 10 times in total). MVC and RFD were performed during flexion and extension on isokinetic dynamometer at 80°, 40º knee angles. The RFD was considered as the mean slope of the moment-time curve at time intervals of 0-30, 0-50, 0-100, 0-200 ms. Results. Flexion and extension RFD at knee angles 40º and 80º in uninjured leg was greater than that of the injured leg in both groups. Flexion and extension MVC torque in injured leg after intervention significantly increased in group 2. After intervention in Group 2 we did not find any significant difference in MVC torque between injured and uninjured legs. But in Group 1 before and after intervention the uninjured leg MVC torque was statistically significantly higher than that of the injured leg. Conclusion: After intervention significantly increased RFD and MVC in injured leg in Group 2, but in Group 1 we did not find significant difference.