Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of NMES program applied in male soccer players (after ACL reconstruction) on the quadriceps muscle. The 80 participants (NMES = 40, control = 40) received an exercise program, including three sessions weekly. The individuals in NMES group additionally received neuromuscular electrical stimulation procedures on both right and left quadriceps (biphasic symmetric rectangular pulses, frequency of impulses: 2500 Hz, and train of pulses frequency: 50 Hz) three times daily (3 hours of break between treatments), 3 days a week, for one month. The tensometry, muscle circumference, and goniometry pendulum test (follow-up after 1 and 3 months) were applied. The results of this study show that NMES (in presented parameters in experiment) is useful for strengthening the quadriceps muscle in soccer athletes. There is an evidence of the benefit of the NMES in restoring quadriceps muscle mass and strength of soccer players. In our study the neuromuscular electrical stimulation appeared to be safe for biomechanics of knee joint. The pathological changes in knee function were not observed. This trial is registered with Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001168741.
Highlights
One key goal of successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is return to sports
After experiment the strength of quadriceps on the operated side in group A (NMES) increased from 645.9 to 893.4 N (28.7%, P = 0.001) and in group B it increased from 648.6 to only 669.8 N (4.6%, P = 0.04)
The comparison after a month treatment of relative changes of the muscle circumference between both groups showed a significant difference in favor of Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (1.1% versus 0.4%, P = 0.04, and 95% confidence interval)
Summary
One key goal of successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is return to sports. Athletes who sustain ACL tears require successful reconstruction in order to continue participating in cutting and pivoting sports. Quadriceps muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a serious problem, but the mechanisms underlying these chronic strength deficits are not clear. Krishnan and Williams [2] examined quadriceps strength in people 2–15 years after ACL reconstruction and tested the hypothesis that chronic quadriceps weakness is related to levels of voluntary quadriceps muscle activation, antagonistic hamstrings moment, and peripheral changes in muscle. Knee extensor strength and activation were evaluated in 15 ACL reconstructed and 15 matched uninjured control subjects using an interpolated triplet technique. Evoked contractile properties were used to evaluate peripheral adaptations in the quadriceps muscle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
