Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Implementing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Concept in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
Quadriceps muscle compensatory activations are delayed following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using
Luciana Labanca1, Luca Laudani2, Pier Paolo Mariani3
1Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
Background:
Compensatory and anticipatory quadriceps activation (CQA and AQA) in response to postural perturbations are essential for functional stability of the knee. This study aimed at investigating CQA and AQA before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using hamstrings graft.
Methods:
Twelve participants with ACLR and 12 healthy controls were exposed to 10 either unpredictable or predictable perturbations of the knee before ACLR (T1), two months (T2) and six months (T3) after surgery. Latencies of CQA and AQA in vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) were measured.
Results:
Latency of CQA was delayed in ACLR compared to controls at T1 for VL (105 ± 25 vs. 57 ± 9 ms; P < .001), RF (102 ± 23 vs. 56 ± 9 ms; P < .001) and VM (107 ± 24 vs. 66 ± 16 ms; P < .001), at T2 for VL (68 ± 14 vs. 55 ± 10 ms; P < .01) and at T3 for VL (105 ± 22 vs. 58 ± 7 ms; P < .001), RF (102 ± 22 vs. 58 ± 12 ms; P < .001) and VM (106 ± 20 vs. 63 ± 8 ms; P < .001). AQA occurred earlier in ACLR than in controls at T1 for VL (-82 ± 64 vs. -14 ± 11 ms; P < .05) and VM (-105 ± 68 vs. -9 ± 12 ms; P < .05).
Conclusion:
CQA are delayed following ACLR with hamstring graft and should be addressd by post-surgical rehabilitation.
