Effects of Progressive Resistance Exercises Among Athletes With Hamstring Deficit After ACL Reconstruction

Riphah International University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Sports Physical Therapy

Treatments: Other: Supervised progressive strength training including elements of neuromuscular exercise intervention (SNG); Other: home based low-intensity weight-bearing exercise protocol.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06846164

REC/RCR&AHS/24/0409

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of the study is to find out how mild home exercises (similar to usual care) and progressive strength training, which include neuromuscular exercise, affected knee joint function and HS muscle strength in individuals who has persistent HS muscle strength deficits 12-24 months after ACLR.

Full description

The objective of the present study is to investigate whether individuals, who perform supervised progressive strength training including elements of neuromuscular exercise intervention (SNG) will achieve greater improvements in leg muscle power and greater improvements in knee function compared with individuals performing a homebased low-intensity weight-bearing exercise protocol. We hypothesize that supervised progressive strength training would be superior to a homebased low-intensity weight-bearing exercise protocol for regaining muscle strength and knee function. This study will impact society by promoting health, reducing healthcare costs, supporting productivity, and contributing to a more active and engaged community. Limited investigation exists regarding the durability of progressive resistance exercises in mitigating hamstring deficits post-ACL reconstruction and the personalized optimization of exercise protocols for individual athletes. Further exploration is needed for sustained benefits and tailored rehabilitation strategies.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 - 30 years
• 12-24 months post-surgery (ACL reconstruction)
• Persistent maximal isometric knee flexor strength asymmetry (>10% leg-to-leg the difference, in the isometric testing angle of 90° knee flexion)

Exclusion criteria

• Body mass index [BMI] more than 35
• known lower limb pathology (including previous and/or concomitant knee injuries requiring surgical intervention to either knee)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Supervised progressive strength training with elements like (SNG)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be randomized to SNG and perform training sessions (60-70 minutes) twice weekly, over 12 weeks, commencing 8 exercises for the lower extremities in 3 sets of 10 repetitions with an intensity of 12 repetitions maximum. Individual progression, quality of exercise, number of sets, repetitions, and additional training weights will be monitored and adjusted throughout the intervention period by experienced physiotherapists

Treatment:

Other: Supervised progressive strength training including elements of neuromuscular exercise intervention (SNG)

home based low-intensity weight-bearing exercise protocol

Experimental group

Description:

Participants allocated to CON will receive written and verbal instructions regarding 4 home-based (low-intensity), weight-bearing exercises for the lower extremities, to be performed twice weekly. This intervention is designed to resemble usual care in cases where persistent knee muscle strength deficits would be discovered and considered a clinical issue.

Treatment:

Other: home based low-intensity weight-bearing exercise protocol.