Yonsei Med J.  2000 Oct;41(5):584-592. 10.3349/ymj.2000.41.5.584.

Comparison of eccentric and concentric isokinetic exercise testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

• Yoon T
• Hwange JW

• KMID: 1062237
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2000.41.5.584

Abstract

Evaluation of muscle function can be helpful in rehabilitation programs with knee injuries. The purposes of this study were to evaluate muscle performance and functional level through eccentric and concentric isokinetic testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and to determine whether eccentric and concentric isokinetic values were correlated with functional level using the Modified Cincinnati Scale (MCS). In order to compare the characteristics of eccentric and concentric parameters, we tested 24 male patients (mean age; 31.1 years) after primary reconstruction of ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments of the knee (mean duration; 20.2 months), at angular velocities of 60 degree/sec using Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. We also evaluated the functional level using the MCS. The values of peak torque of the involved knee extensors and flexors were significantly lower than the uninvolved limb in all eccentric and concentric tests (p<0.01). The deficiency ratios of peak torque in knee extensors were significantly larger than knee flexors in both eccentric and concentric tests (p<0.01). The MCS was inversely correlated with the deficiency ratio in peak torque of eccentric knee extensors (p<0.05). These results suggest that eccentric knee extensor training is essential to restore the functional capacity of the injured knee and that isokinetic evaluation is necessary to plan rehabilitation programs to correct possible imbalances which may be predispose subjects to future injury.

Keyword

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; eccentric; concentric; isokinetic tests

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament/physiopathology
Anterior Cruciate Ligament/injuries*
Comparative Study
Exercise Test/methods*
Human
Male
Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
Postoperative Period
Severity of Illness Index
Wounds and Injuries/surgery*
Wounds and Injuries/physiopathology
Time Factors