Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (9): 1083-1091.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.09.012

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Effect of different intensity neuromuscular training on muscle strength and knee joint function of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

WANG Juan1,2, ZHANG Qing3, ZHOU Changlin1,2, CHEN Changyun1,2, DAI Feng1,2, SUN Xianghong1,2, ZOU Ting1,2, WANG Jian1,2, GAO Junkai1,2, XU Weidong3()   

  1. 1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changzhou Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213011, China
    2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213011, China
    3 Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • Received:2025-06-09 Revised:2025-09-07 Published:2025-09-25 Online:2025-10-10
  • Contact: XU Weidong, E-mail: xuwdshanghai@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Major Science and Technology Project of Changzhou Health Commission(ZD202228);Young Talent Development Plan of Changzhou Health Commission(CZQM2023024);Changzhou "Longcheng Medical Star" Health Young Science and Technology Talent Lifting Project(lcyx202309)

Abstract:

Objective To compare the effect of different intensity of neuromuscular training (NMT) on muscle strength and knee joint function of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods From January, 2023 to January, 2024, 60 ACLR patients in Changhai Hospital were selected, and they received the same intensity of NMT from one to eight weeks after surgery. Eight weeks after surgery, they were randomly divided into low intensity group (n = 30) and high intensity group (n = 30), and then they received different intensities of NMT from nine to 16 weeks after surgery, each training session lasted one hour, with three sessions per week, totaly 48 sessions. The Lysholm score, knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and muscle endurancewere compared at eight weeks and 16 weeks after surgery.

Results After group training, the Lysholm score significantly increased in both groups (|t| > 13.739, P <0.001), and was higher in the high intensity group than in the low intensity group (t = -2.574, P < 0.05); in the high intensity group, the relative peak torque and endurance of the extensor and flexor muscles improved at angular velocities of 60°/s, 120°/s and 180 °/s (|t| > 2.320, P <0.05); in the low intensity group, the flexor peak torque improved at all the three angular velocities (t > 2.177, P< 0.05), the extensor peak torque improved at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s (|t| > 1.715, P <0.05), and the extensor endurance improved at angular velocity of 60°/s (t = -2.293, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the relative peak torque and endurance of the extensor and flexor muscles at all the three angular velocities (P > 0.05).

Conclusion Both high and low intensity NMT could improve the muscle strength, muscle endurance and knee joint function. Maybe, high intensity is superior to low intensity. Further verification is still needed.

Key words: anterior cruciate ligament, neuromuscular training, muscle strength, muscle endurance, function

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