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Int J Sports Med 2021; 42(04): 336-343
DOI: 10.1055/a-1273-8269
Training & Testing

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructed Female Athletes Exhibit Relative Muscle Dysfunction After Return to Sport

Christiana J. Raymond-Pope 
1   School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
,
Donald R. Dengel
1   School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
,
John S. Fitzgerald
2   Department of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
,
Bradley J. Nelson
3   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
,
Tyler A. Bosch
4   College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
› Author Affiliations
Funding: This work was supported by funding from NIH/NIAMS T32 AR050938 “Musculoskeletal Training Grant” (CJRP) and from the North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine (NASPEM) “Marco Cabrera Student Research Award” (CJRP).
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Abstract

We sought to examine the relationship between upper-leg compartmental lean mass, muscle-specific strength, and explosive strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twleve adolescent female athletes with prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were individually-matched by age (16.4±0.9 vs. 16.4±1.0 yrs.), body mass index (23.2±2.1 vs. 23.2±2.7 kg/m2), and sport to 12 female athlete controls. One total-body and 2 lateral-leg dual X-ray absorptiometry scans measured total/segmental body composition. Isokinetic dynamometry measured knee extensor/flexor peak torque. Squat jumps on force platforms measured bilateral peak vertical ground reaction force. Paired t-tests assessed lean mass, peak torque, and force between previously-injured athletes’ legs and between previously-injured and control athletes’ legs. Previously-injured athletes’ involved vs. non-involved leg demonstrated lower total (7.13±0.75 vs. 7.43±0.99 kg; p<0.01) and anterior (1.49±0.27 vs. 1.61±0.23 kg; p<0.01) and posterior (1.90±0.19 vs. 2.02±0.21 kg; p=0.04) upper-leg lean mass. Involved leg peak torque (1.36±0.31; 1.06±0.27; 0.97±0.19 Nm/kg) was lower vs. non-involved leg (1.71±0.36; 1.24±0.33; 1.04±0.15 Nm/kg; p<0.01−0.02) for extension at 60 and 120°/sec and flexion at 60°/sec and vs. controls’ ‘matched’ leg (1.77±0.40 Nm/kg; p=0.01) for extension at 60°/sec. Involved leg force (296±45N) was lower vs. non-involved leg (375±55N; p<0.01) and vs. controls’ ‘matched’ leg (372±88N; p=0.02). One-year post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, adolescent female athletes’ involved leg demonstrated relative muscle dysfunction.

Key words

ACL - dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - isokinetic dynamometry - squat jump


Publication History

Received: 05 April 2020

Accepted: 18 September 2020

Article published online:
23 October 2020

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