@Article{Milutinović2024,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="41",
number="1",
year="2024",
title="A comparison in knee flexor and extensor strength following ACL
reconstruction in international, male soccer players receiving
patellar tendon or hamstrings grafts",
abstract="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.",
author="Milutinović, Andreja
and Jakovljević, Vladimir
and Dabović, Milinko
and Scanlan, Aaron
and Radovanović, Dragan
and Orlova, Aleksandra
and Stojanović, Emilija",
pages="107--117",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2024.129471",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2024.129471"
}