Effects of isokinetic eccentric training on knee extensor and flexor torque and on gait of individuals with long term ACL reconstruction: A controlled clinical trial

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the isokinetic eccentric training (IET) on the knee extensor and flexor torque and kinematic gait parameters in individuals with ACL reconstruction. Sixteen men with ACL reconstructed (ACLr) whose torque and the gait were evaluated, before and after 12 weeks of IET, was compared to a control group (14 individuals). Student t, MANOVA and ANOVA tests were performed with 5% of significance. The training increased the isometric, concentric at 30 and 120°/s (p < .05) and eccentric at 30°/s (p < .01) extensor torque on the affected limb (AL), and eccentric at 30 and 120°/s (p < .01), on the non-affected limb (NAL). In the flexors, there was an increase on the torque: isometric, concentric at 30°/s and eccentric at 30 and 120°/s (p < .01) in AL and in eccentric at 30 (p < .05) and 120°/s (p < .01) in NAL. With respect to the angular and spatiooral variables gait, there was no difference between pre-and post-training in LCAr group. Compared to control group, the cycle time, in two members, was lower in LCAr group, and stride length and cadence were higher in the AL of the LCAr (p < .05). Moreover, the knee flexion-extension angles (minimum and maximum) remained lower in LCAr, pre- and post-training (p < .01). The torque gain associated with eccentric isokinetic training did not affect the kinematic parameters of gait in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.