Progressive strength training restores quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength within 7 months after ACL reconstruction in amateur male soccer players

Wouter Welling; Anne Benjaminse; Koen Lemmink; Bart Dingenen; Alli Gokeler

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.08.004

Progressive strength training restores quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength within 7 months after ACL reconstruction in amateur male soccer players

Phys Ther Sport. 2019 Nov:40:10-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.08.004. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Authors

Wouter Welling¹, Anne Benjaminse², Koen Lemmink³, Bart Dingenen⁴, Alli Gokeler⁵

Affiliations

¹ Medisch Centrum Zuid, Sportlaan 2-1, 9728, PH Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Science, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: wouter.welling@mcz.nl.
² University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Science, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV Groningen, the Netherlands; School of Sport Studies, Hanze University Groningen, Zernikeplein 17, 9747, AS Groningen, the Netherlands.
³ University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Science, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁴ Rehabilitation Research Centre, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
⁵ University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Science, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV Groningen, the Netherlands; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg; University of Paderborn, Department Exercise & Health, Exercise Science and Neuroscience, Paderborn, Germany.

PMID: 31425918
DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.08.004

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare the results of a progressive strength training protocol for soccer players after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with healthy controls, and to investigate the effects of the strength training protocol on peak quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength.

Design: Between subjects design.

Setting: Outpatient physical therapy facility.

Participants: Thirty-eight amateur male soccer players after ACLR were included. Thirty age-matched amateur male soccer players served as control group.

Main outcome measures: Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength was measured at three time points during the rehabilitation. Limb symmetry index (LSI) > 90% was used as cut-off criteria.

Results: Soccer players after ACLR had no significant differences in peak quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength in the injured leg at 7 months after ACLR compared to the dominant leg of the control group. Furthermore, 65.8% of soccer players after ACLR passed LSI >90% at 10 months for quadriceps muscle strength.

Conclusion: Amateur male soccer players after ACLR can achieve similar quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength at 7 months compared to healthy controls. These findings highlight the potential of progressive strength training in rehabilitation after ACLR that may mitigate commonly reported strength deficits.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Isokinetic strength; Return to sport; Strength training.

MeSH terms

Adult
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / rehabilitation*
Athletes
Case-Control Studies
Exercise Therapy*
Hamstring Muscles / physiology*
Humans
Male
Muscle Strength*
Quadriceps Muscle / physiology*
Resistance Training*
Return to Sport
Soccer
Young Adult