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The effect of open kinetic chain knee extensor resistance training at different training loads on anterior knee
Massimo G Barcellona1, Matthew C Morrissey2
1Academic Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, UK.
Background:
The commonly used open kinetic chain knee extensor (OKCKE) exercise loads the sagittal restraints to knee anterior tibial translation.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of different loads of OKCKE resistance training on anterior knee laxity (AKL) in the uninjured knee.
Study Design:
non-clinical trial.
Methods:
Randomization into one of three supervised training groups occurred with training 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Subjects in the LOW and HIGH groups performed OKCKE resistance training at loads of 2 sets of 20 repetition maximum (RM) and 20 sets of 2RM, respectively. Subjects in the isokinetic training group (ISOK) performed isokinetic OKCKE resistance training using 2 sets of 20 maximal efforts. AKL was measured using the KT2000 arthrometer with concurrent measurement of lateral hamstrings muscle activity at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
Results:
Twenty six subjects participated (LOW n = 9, HIGH n = 10, ISOK n = 7). The main finding from this study is that a 12-week OKCKE resistance training programme at loads of 20 sets of 2RM, leads to an increase in manual maximal AKL.
Conclusions:
OKCKE resistance training at high loads (20 sets of 2RM) increases AKL while low load OKCKE resistance training (2 sets of 20RM) and isokinetic OKCKE resistance training at 2 sets of 20RM does not.
