PAPANDREOU, M. G. ; PAPAIOANNOU, N. ; ANTONOGIANNAKIS, E. &
ZEERIS, H. The effect of cross exercise on quadriceps strength in different
knee angles after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Brazilian Journal
of Biomotricity. v. 1, n. 4, p. 123-137, 2007. The patients following ACL
reconstruction (ACL-R) demonstrate a substantial quadriceps strength
weakness which is more pronounced in the early postoperative period.
According with the consensus of cross exercise an eccentric training program
applied toward resistance exercise on the uninjured knee may be ideally suited
to enhance the quadriceps strength on the ACL reconstructed knee. So, the
main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cross eccentric
exercise (CEE) on quadriceps strength at the angles 450 and 900, in the early rehabilitation phase on the ACL reconstructed knee. Secondary aim was to
evaluate the most effective frequency of CCE for enhancement of the
quadriceps strength on the ACL-R knee. 42 patients who underwent ACL
reconstruction participated in this study. Patients were randomly split into 3
groups, two experimental (E1, E2) and one control. All groups followed the
same rehabilitation program. Additionally, the two experimental groups followed
8 weeks of CEE on the uninjured knee; E1-3days/week, and E2-5d/w
respectively. The patients were evaluated by isokinetic dynamometer on
quadriceps maximal isometric strength at 450 and 900 of the knee flexion, preoperatively
and nine weeks post-operatively at both limbs. Two-way ANOVA
showed statistical significant differences (p<0.05) on quadriceps strength
enhancement at 450 (F=9.11, p<0.01) and 900 (F=46.28, p<0.01) on the ACL
reconstructed knee and the above significances observed in the first
experimental group compared to the control one. No statistical significant
differences were found between the two experimental groups. Adding CEE to
ACL traditional rehabilitation program could be beneficial exercise for
quadriceps strength enhancement at 450 and 900 of knee motion at a sequence
of 3d/w, in the early phase of ACL reconstruction.
