ACL rehabilitation program using a combined isokinetic and isotonic strengthening protocol

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tsaklis, P.^{a; b} | Abatzides, G.^a

Affiliations: [a] Sports Injuries Lab, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | [b] Physical Therapy Department, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. P. Tsaklis, Anthokipon 19, Nea Efkarpia, 564 29 Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel.: +30 2310 689289; E-mail: tsaklis@hotmail.com

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a rehabilitation program following ACL reconstruction. This program consists of isotonic as well as isokinetic muscle strengthening components. Forty-five post-ACL surgery patients took part in this study. They were all male athletes participating in different events. Patients were divided randomly into 3 groups of 15 corresponding to 3 distinct rehabilitation programs which continued for 3 months after surgery. During the first month the groups followed the same paradigm. For the next two months, group A continued the practice by using only isotonic strengthening exercises, group B used exclusively isokinetic strengthening exercises and group C performed a combined program of isokinetic and isotonic exercises. The three groups appear to have improved until the 3rd post operative month, with highly significant pre-post differences in the various measured parameters. However, group C patients achieved the highest outcome scores and therefore our recommendation calls for a mixed isokinetic-isotonic program.

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2002-0107

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 211-219, 2002