Strength Deficits after ACL-Injuries during Static or Dynamic Exercise of the Knee Extensors

Thorwesten L, Verdonck A, Wieck M

Abstract in digital collection (conference)

Abstract

Introduction: The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is often a reason for substantial strength deficit of the injured side. In clinical rehabilitation therapy either static or dynamic strength measurements are used. Therefore the objective of our study was to evaluate the improvement of isometric and isokinetic muscular capabilities. Material and Methods: In a study with 50 subjects maximal isometric torque as weil as dynamic streugth parameters of the knee extensors were measured during isokinetic exercise. The left and the right knee of the patients who underwent an operation because of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament were tested 8, 12 and 24 weeks after arthroscopic operation on the cybex 6000 rehabilitation & testing system. Results: The comparison between static and dynamic strength capability of the knee extensors and flexors as weil as their development over the course of the postoperative rehabilitation period reveals a better improvement for isometric in contrast to isokinetic strength capability. A better ratio between the injured and uninjured side could be found for isometric compared to isokinetic strength values. Regarding the assessment of the findings it has to be considered that many types of physiotherapy aim at the increase of static strength capabilities, especiaily in early rehabilitation phases, and therefore favour this area during the training sessions. Conclusion: A strength performance diagnosis which refers exclusively to an isolated measuring method does not create a detailed description of the actual strength capability as a whole.

Details zur Publikation

Release year: 1995
Language in which the publication is written: English