TRAINING DELAYED ISOKINETICS IN THE SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this work is to study the effect of training isokinetics on the peak torque (PT) of the femoral quadriceps and hamstring muscles three years after surgical reconstruction of the cruciate anterior ligament (LCA). METHODS: The subject, a 23-year-old, male, non-sedentary, was given 2 bilateral concentric isokinetic reciprocate evaluations, one before and the other after training at speeds of 60, 180 and 300º/sec. Only the right lower limb was trained (surgical reconstruction of LCA), 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Each training session consisted of warming-up, followed by isokinetic training in the Isokinetic Dynamometer BIODEX Multi Joint System 2–Medical Systems. The subject was positioned properly in the dynamometer, instructed to perform 3 isokinetics concentric submaximal contractions followed by 12 sets of 5 extensions and flexions of the knee at the angular speed of 60º/sec. (0 to 90º range of motion), with an interval of 10 seconds between sets. The analysis of the data was done using a Student’s t-Test with a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: The peak torque for the extension at the speeds of 60 and 180º/sec. of the right lower limb had a significant increase. The values of peak torque for the flexion at the speeds of 60, 180 and 300º/sec. had a non-significant increase for both lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The isokinetic training was effective for the increase in the strength (peak torque) of the right lower limb knee extensors. There was also an increase in strength (peak torque) at 180º/sec. of the right lower limb extensor that had not been trained. This research was conducted in accordance with the National Council of Health (Resolution 196/96).