Biology of Sport

Abstract

1/2024 vol. 41
Original paper

A comparison in knee flexor and extensor strength following ACL reconstruction in international, male soccer players receiving patellar tendon or hamstrings grafts

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
  2. Department of Human Pathology, 1st Moscow State Medical University IM Sechenov, Moscow, Russian Federation
  3. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  4. School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia
  5. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
Biol Sport. 2024;41(1):107–117
Online publish date: 2023/07/19
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The aim of this study was to compare knee extensor and flexor strength recovery following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) grafts in international male soccer players undergoing comparable 6-month rehabilitation programmes. Seventeen players underwent ACL reconstruction with either an autogenous BPTB graft or HT graft. Knee extensor and flexor peak torques were measured at 3 months and 6 months in the injured and contralateral legs following surgery using isokinetic dynamometry. The moderate–large asymmetries in knee extensor peak torque between legs at 3 months across graft types (BPTB: p = 0.002, g = -0.94; HT: p = 0.02, g = -0.55) were reduced to trivial asymmetries at 6 months (BPTB: p = 0.30, g = -0.19; HT: p = 0.40, g = -0.16), with a non-significant difference in limb symmetry index (LSI) between grafts at 6 months (p = 0.62, g = -0.24). Similarly, moderate–large asymmetries in knee flexor peak torque between legs at 3 months across graft types (BPTB: p = 0.13, g = -0.50; HT: p = 0.01, g = -0.97) were reduced to trivial-small asymmetries at 6 months (BPTB: p = 0.25, g = 0.18; HT: p = 0.01, g = -0.47); however, a superior LSI was evident with BPTB compared to HT grafts at 6 months (p = 0.007, g = 1.43, large). Strength and conditioning professionals working with soccer players who are rehabilitating from ACL reconstruction after receiving a HT graft should give adequate attention to delivering suitable hamstring exercises that ensure optimal strength restoration.
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