The Use of Eccentrically Biased Resistance Exercise to Mitigate Muscle Impairments Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND Novel interventions that can safely and effectively overload muscle early following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are needed to minimize atrophy and weakness that often becomes longstanding. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Eccentrically induced forces can be safely applied during the early stages of rehabilitation following surgery and serve as a potent stimulus for increasing muscle size and strength. RESULTS Compared to a standard rehabilitation program, adding an early 12-week eccentric resistance-training program 3 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction induces improvement in quadriceps and gluteus maximus volume at 15 weeks and at 1 year after surgery. Likewise, those who performed an eccentrically biased rehabilitation program also achieved greater improvements in quadriceps strength and hopping ability measured at 15 weeks and at 1 year after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE There is potential to safely and feasibly perform eccentric contractions as part of a formal rehabilitation program following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.