The Use of Eccentrically Biased Resistance Exercise to Mitigate Muscle Impairments Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Short Review

BACKGROUND: Novel interventions that can safely and effectively overload muscle early following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are needed to minimize atrophy and weakness that often becomes longstanding. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Eccentrically induced forces can be safely applied during the early stages of rehabilitation following surgery and serve as a potent stimulus for increasing muscle size and strength. RESULTS: Compared to a standard rehabilitation program, adding an early 12-week eccentric resistance-training program 3 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction induces improvement in quadriceps and gluteus maximus volume at 15 weeks and at 1 year after surgery. Likewise, those who performed an eccentrically biased rehabilitation program also achieved greater improvements in quadriceps strength and hopping ability measured at 15 weeks and at 1 year after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is potential to safely and feasibly perform eccentric contractions as part of a formal rehabilitation program following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.