This study aims to investigate the effects of eccentric training on the functional rehabilitation of patients undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACL-R). Thirty-four participants undergoing ACL-R will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Conventional Training Group (CTG) and the Eccentric Training Group (ETG). Both groups will adhere to the same post-surgical rehabilitation program, commencing in the first week after ACL-R and continuing until the criteria for sports resumption are achieved. The rehabilitation program will be structured into four phases: immediate post-operative, preparatory, general acquisition, and specific acquisition. The key distinction between the groups lies in their exercise regimen: ETG will prioritize the eccentric phase of movement, whereas CTG will engage in conventional exercises, maintaining uniform load across both movement phases. Assessment procedures will be conducted at three intervals for all participants: immediately post-operative, at 12 weeks post-ACL-R surgery (before the initiation of the training protocol), and at 25 weeks post-ACL-R surgery (upon completion of the training protocol). The primary outcome measure will be the maximum isometric strength of knee extensors. Secondary outcomes will encompass functional status, maximum isometric strength of knee flexors, peak dynamic strength during leg press, quadriceps muscle atrophy, performance in jump tests, and psychological readiness.
None
Delay of more than 7 days after surgery to initiate the rehabilitation program proposed by the study;
Presence of injuries related to the rupture of the ACL that hinder partial weight-bearing in the first week after surgery, either due to medical recommendation or the patient inability/disposition.
Parallel
Conventional Training
Other interventionPatients will execute the concentric and eccentric phases unilaterally, maintaining consistent load levels, with each phase lasting 2 seconds.
Eccentric Training
Other interventionThe concentric phase will be performed bilaterally in approximately 1 second, followed by the unilateral eccentric phase lasting approximately 3 seconds.
Maximal isometric strength of knee extensors
Assessed by manual isometric dynamometry
Maximum isometric strength of knee flexors
Assessed by manual isometric dynamometry
Maximum dynamic strength during leg press exercise
Assessed through the 1 maximum repetition test (1RM)
Muscle atrophy
The evaluation of muscle atrophy will be performed by measuring the circumference of the thigh (cm)
Self-reported functional impairments
Self-reported functional impairments will be assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC)
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