Eccentric cross-exercise after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Novel case series to enhance
Lindsey K Lepley1, Dustin R Grooms2, Julie P Burland3
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
Objectives:
Substantial changes in neural function are historically present after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and are not rectified with traditional rehabilitation. Cross-exercise is a potential means to enhance neural excitability and improve recovery after ACLR. Hence our purpose, was to detail changes in brain activation, neural excitability and patient-reported outcomes in a cohort that completed an 8-week quadriceps-focused eccentric cross-exercise training program immediately following ACLR.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
University.
Particpants:
Five patients participated in an 8-week (24-session) eccentric cross-exercise intervention after ACLR.
Main Outcome Measures:
Brain activation, neural activity and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated within 2 weeks post-ACLR and again at 10-weeks post-ACLR after the intervention. Each cross-exercise session consisted of 4 sets of 10 isokinetic eccentric contractions at 60 deg/sec with the noninvolved limb.
Results:
Following the intervention, patients demonstrated a facilitated spinal reflexive and muscle activity response from the motor cortex during a time when these measures are known to be depressed. Patients also demonstrated a reduce dependence on frontal cortex activity to generate quadriceps contractions. Further patients reported significant reductions in pain and symptoms and greater knee function.
Conclusions:
Eccentric cross-exercise after ACLR helps to facilitate positive adaptations in neural function and patient reported outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Neuroplasticity
01:16Eccentric Loading
01:27Eccentricity of an Ellipse
01:12General Case of Eccentric Axial Loading
Consider a member subjected to equal and opposite forces that are applied along a line that does not coincide with the member's neutral axis. In unsymmetrical...
01:34Crossing Over
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process...
01:21Design of Columns under an Eccentric Load