THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING IN THE ACL RECONSTRUCTED KNEE

Abstract

962 The main purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of proprioceptive training in the ACL reconstructed limb (ACLR). The second purpose of this study was to determine the relative contribution of isokinetic strength and peak hamstring torque time (PTT) to functional ability (one-legged hop tests) of the ACLR. Ten subjects with unilateral ACLR were randomly assigned to the following two training protocols: 1)isotonic strength training (ST); 2)proprioceptive training (PT). Both training protocols were 12 weeks in duration, 36 exercise sessions in total. PTT was used as a measure of knee proprioception. After 12 weeks of training, a group by test occasion interaction effect on PTT was evident. A curvilinear relationship between PTT and test occasion was observed for both groups. There was also a significant interaction effect on the isokinetic strength of the ACLR. The PT group demonstrated greater absolute isokinetic strength gains than the ST group after 12 weeks of training. Both training groups demonstrated significant gains in the following: 1)functional ability; 2)subjective scores. Regressional analysis indicated iokinetic strength of the quadriceps and the hamstring muscles to have significant effects on functional ability. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05. These results suggest the following: 1) both training protocols influence PTT, however, further investigations are required to clearly define the trends observed in this study. It is proposed that the two training protocols influence PTT through different neuromuscular mechanisms; 2) significant isokinetic strength gains can be induced through proprioceptive training of the ACLR limb; 3) both training protocols can induce significant improvements in the functional ability and subjective scores of the ACLR; 4) strength of the ACLR is important for its functional ability. Supported by BCMSF97-0142.