Effects of Pre-operative Home-based Exercise on Knee Strength and Proprioceptive Functions after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Kim, Do-Kyung

doi:2012.14.1.57

Asian J Kinesiol > Volume 14(1); 2012 > Article

Original Article

The Official Journal of the Korean Academy of Kinesiology 2012;14(1):57-65.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15758/jkak.2012.14.1.57 Published online January 30, 2012.

Effects of Pre-operative Home-based Exercise on Knee Strength and Proprioceptive Functions after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Do-Kyung Kim

Sungkyunkwan University

Correspondence: Do-Kyung Kim,
Email: hrmax1@naver.com

Received: 10 September 2011 • Accepted: 14 January 2012

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 6 week pre-operative home based exercise on muscle strength and proprioceptive functions after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction.
METHOD
Forth ACL reconstruction patients were randomly assigned into two groups; Pre-op Exercise Group (PEG, n=20) and Pre-op Non-Exercise Group (PNEG, n=20). PEG participated in 6weeks of home-based pre-op and 12 weeks of post-op exercise while PNEG participated only in the 12 weeks of post-op exercise. They were tested on muscle strength and proprioceptive functions 6 weeks before operations and 3 months after operations. Knee strength measurements at 60°/sec and 180°/sec on an isokinetic dynamometry were analyzed to compare their muscle strength. proprioceptive functions have been assessed using joint position sense and dynamic postural stability.
RESULT
The deficit of the knee extensor peak torque of uninvolved/involved at 60°/sec and 180°/sec were significant difference between PEG and PNEG. In PEG, deficit of the knee extensor peak torque of uninvolved/involved was reduced by 36.19% to 22.58% and 29.67% to 18.65%, respectively. In dynamic postural stability index test, PEG showed a significantly improved instability of 12.6% whereas PNEG resulted that of 23.3%(p=0.0231). However, no significant difference was found between PEG and PNEG in joint position sense test .
CONCLUSION
The 6 week home-based pre-op exercise may encourage many positive changes for ACLR patients by reducing the deficit between uninvolved and involved knees and improving proprioceptive functions.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, Pre-operative exercise, Strength, Postural stability