Contralateral strength training attenuates muscle performance loss following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: a randomised-controlled trial

Review written by Dr Linda Truong info

Key Points

  1. Cross-education significantly attenuated a decrease in quadriceps peak force following ACL reconstruction at 10-weeks, but this was not maintained at 24-weeks.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Early restoration of muscle function and performance is crucial for successful rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Cross-education (CE) training may help to decrease any post-operative strength loss and accelerate the rehabilitation process; however, current evidence has demonstrated mixed findings (1,2).

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CE training on muscle performance and function at 10 and 24-weeks following ACLR with maximal training of the non-operative limb.

Cross-education training may help to decrease post-operative strength loss and accelerate the rehabilitation process.
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Cross-education training may help promote recovery by attenuating strength losses in the short term (almost 50% in this study), while also strengthening the non-operative limb.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with participants who were recreationally active, between 15-60 years with ACLR, and an asymptomatic non-operative knee. Participants were randomly allocated to either cross-education (CE) or control group.

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