Angle-specific torque profiles of concentric and eccentric thigh muscle strength 20 years after anterior cruciate ligament injury

Abstract

ABSTRACT Thigh muscle weakness prevails following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as usually evaluated by peak concentric quadriceps strength. Assessment throughout the range of motion (ROM), and for antagonists may provide more comprehensive information. We evaluated angle-specific torque profiles and ratios of isokinetic thigh muscle strength in 70 individuals 23 ± 2 years post-ACL injury (44males, 46.9 ± 5.4 years); 33 treated with ACL-reconstruction (ACL-R), and 37 treated only with physiotherapy (ACL-PT), and 33 controls. Quadriceps and hamstrings torques for concentric/eccentric contractions (90°/s) and ratios between hamstrings/quadriceps strength (HQ) were compared between and within groups using inferential functional data methods. The injured ACL-R leg had lower concentric and eccentric quadriceps strength compared to non-injured leg throughout the ROM, and lower concentric (interval 70–79°) and eccentric (64–67°) quadriceps strength compared to controls. The injured ACL-PT leg showed lower eccentric quadriceps strength (53–77°) than non-injured leg and lower concentric (41–79°) and eccentric (52–81°) quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (30–77°) strength than controls. There were no group differences for HQ-ratios. The injured ACL-R leg had higher HQ-ratio (34–37°) than non-injured leg. Angle-specific torque profiles revealed strength deficits, masked if using only peak values, and seem valuable for ACL-injury rehabilitation.