A1 Journal article (refereed)
Quadriceps strength, patellar tendon quality, relative load exposure, and knee symptoms in male athletes before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (2023)
Pereira, C. S., Klauznicer, J., Maree, D., McAuliffe, S., Farooq, A., Whiteley, R., & Finni, T. (2023). Quadriceps strength, patellar tendon quality, relative load exposure, and knee symptoms in male athletes before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 4, Article 1283635. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2023.1283635
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Pereira, Carla S.; Klauznicer, Jasenko; Maree, Dustin; McAuliffe, Sean; Farooq, Abdulaziz; Whiteley, Rod; Finni, Taija
Journal or series: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
eISSN: 2673-6861
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 19/10/2023
Volume: 4
Article number: 1283635
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Publication country: Switzerland
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2023.1283635
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92092
Abstract
Methods: Injured and uninjured legs of 81 male athletes of different sports with a unilateral ACL injury (18–45 years) were examined. Participants reported location and intensity of knee pain and their perceived stability using a numerical rating scale (NRS 0–10). Strength was tested with an isokinetic device. Tendon quality was measured using ultrasound tissue characterization. Means ± standard deviation (SD) of perceived knee stability, knee extension angle, knee pain, isokinetic quadriceps strength in relation to body mass, proportion of echo-types (I–IV), tendon volume, and number of days from ACL injury to assessment are reported. Values of effect sizes (ES) and correlations (rs) were calculated.
Results: ACL injured leg demonstrated reduced reported knee stability (6.3 ± 2.5), decreased knee extension angle (−0.7 ± 3.1° vs. −2.7 ± 2.2°; ES = 0.7; P < 0.001), greater knee pain (NRS 3.1 ± 2.2 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1; ES = 2.0; P < 0.001), and 22% lower quadriceps strength (228.0 ± 65.0 vs. 291.2 ± 52.9 Nm/kg: ES = 1.2; P < 0.001) as compared to the uninjured leg. However, patellar tendons in both legs displayed similar quality. Quadriceps strength was associated with stability (rs = −0.54; P < 0.001), pain (rs = −0.47; P < 0.001), extension angle (rs = −0.39; P < 0.001), and relative load exposure (rs = −0.34; P < 0.004). Echo-types distribution was beneficially associated with time from ACL injury (rs range: −0.20/ −0.32; P < 0.05).
Discussion: ACL injured athletes displayed knee pain, extension deficit, and weaker quadriceps in the injured leg. While there were no differences in patellar tendon quality between legs, longer time from ACL injury showed better tendon quality.
Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; knees; tendons; injuries and disabilities; sports injuries; athletes
Free keywords: ACL; knee; quadriceps; isokinetic; ultrasound tissue characterization; patellar tendon; relative load; tendon quality
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1
